Napalm (Signed)
See more from the Napalm series- Medium:
- Print — Screenprint on paper
- Size:
- 50 × 70 cm
- Year:
- 2004
Napalm (Signed) is one of Banksy’s most provocative and politically charged works, released in 2004. In this striking screenprint, Banksy reimagines the harrowing image of Phan Thi Kim Phuc—the young, naked Vietnamese girl fleeing a napalm attack during the Vietnam War—by placing her between two iconic figures of American consumerism: Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse.
Rendered in stark black and white with bold silhouettes, the image captures Kim Phuc’s terrified expression and outstretched arms, held tightly by the smiling mascots. The contrast is jarring: the carefree corporate icons flanking a symbol of war trauma serves as a critique of Western capitalist indifference and media sanitization of violence.
The piece is a clear indictment of American foreign policy, the commercialization of suffering, and the power dynamics of global imagery. Banksy's juxtaposition forces the viewer to confront uncomfortable truths about culture, exploitation, and complicity.
About the Artist
Banksy
b. 1974 | British
Banksy is the anonymous British street artist renowned for his provocative and politically charged works. Combining satire, humour, and social commentary, his instantly recognisable stencil-based artworks challenge authority, consumerism, and contemporary culture. Banksy remains one of the most influential and celebrated figures in contemporary art.
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