PROVENANCE

Private Collection, Auckland Originally purchased from Santa's Grotto exhibition Dragon Bar, London, 2002 This work is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Pest Control

ILLUSTRATED

p. 73 The Art of Banksy, A Visual Protest Gianni Mercurio, Prestel, 2019

In one of the first screenprints released by Banksy, the artist portrays law enforcement in a bold and striking way. Have a Nice Day depicts twenty seven military or riot police in a single, intimidating line. In the centre of the group is a black and grey tank, underneath which the words Have A Nice Day are written.

The police are kitted out in riot gear, marching in unison against an unseen threat or infact towards the viewer.

The faces of the police, which in reality would be covered with protective visors, are covered with bright yellow acid-house style smiley faces; a motif we see fairly regularly in Banksy prints, particularly when it comes to portraying figures that use fear as a means of control.

Whether or not Banksy intended Have a Nice Day to intimidate or amuse, the artwork certainly speaks both to the idea that the police force are not all they seem, perhaps even hiding behind their smiles.