

Happy Chopper Yellow Bowtie
2002
Print on Canvas

Banksy's artwork often exposes the anodyne portrayal of wars by the West in the media. He challenges the notion of "precision bombing" that downplays the devastating effects of war, including the loss of innocent lives, destruction of families and homes, and the long-lasting physical and psychological injuries inflicted on survivors.
This perspective on war was influenced by the media coverage of the first Gulf War, particularly the CNN broadcasts that presented a controlled and surgical image of warfare. Western media has continued to perpetuate this narrative in subsequent conflicts.
Banksy features the Apache helicopter that was extensively used by US and UK forces in Afghanistan. This piece serves as a critique of the absurdity and contradictions inherent in the military interventions of that time.
Reference: Tapies, Xavier. Where's Banksy? Graffito Books Ltd., 2019.



