Artwork details

Artist

Title

Nola (Orange)

Description

This dramatic image of a girl being drenched by rain from under her umbrella alludes to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which was exacerbated by the failure of flood defences designed to protect civilians from such a tragedy. An umbrella, by definition, is intended to keep the person wearing it dry and shielded from the elements. The fact that the rain is falling from the inside of the umbrella rather than from the sky is Banksy's way of suggesting to the viewer that the very things (or institutions) that were created and designed to protect us can, at times, do quite the opposite - a scathing indictment of FEMA and the government's response to protect and serve.

Two colourways have appeared since the print was originally released: 32 in Orange Rain and 31 in Yellow Rain, neither of which was offered to the public for sale.

Banksy also released a rare set of Nola Artist’s Proof editions of 66 that came in 6 unique variations of Multicolor Rain, reserved for VIP collectors. All Nola prints are signed and numbered by the artist.

Date

2008

Medium

Screenprint in colours

Edition

Signature

Signed

Dimensions

76×56 cm

Status

Available

Price

Price on request

Banksy

Bristol-born graffitist Banksy is the most famous and infamous street artist in the world. Despite the fact that he doesn’t create any work for the public to buy, or any pieces that can be displayed in a gallery, he is loved throughout the world for his spray on pieces of social commentary and taboo-busting images. Banksy’s true identity remains a secret and he prefer to stay in the shadows rather than take the acclaim for his work. He started using his trademark stencils as a way to create a piece quicker and so reduce the chances of being caught by the police. His works are displayed on walls, streets and bridges across his home town of Bristol and at other selected locations across the world. Fans have been known to try and take down walls, so they can own an original Banksy. A product of the British underground street scene of the 1990s, Banksy’s work is often darkly humorous, satirical and mocks the establishment. Some commentators have compared him to Blek le Rat, a French graffiti artist. Banksy himself says Bristol-based graffiti artist 3D was his original inspiration. In 2010 he directed a documentary film called ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’, about a man obsessed with street art.