Napalm (Unsigned)
See more from the Napalm series- Medium:
- Print — Screenprint on paper
- Size:
- 50 × 70 cm
- Year:
- 2004
Napalm (Unsigned) is a powerful and unsettling artwork by Banksy, first released in 2004. The image reinterprets one of the most haunting photographs of the 20th century — the infamous Vietnam War photo of Phan Thi Kim Phuc, the young girl running naked after a napalm attack. In Banksy’s version, she is placed between two smiling icons of Western consumerism: Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse.
This disturbing juxtaposition highlights the contrast between innocence and corporate control, trauma and entertainment. While the original photo captured the horrors of war, Banksy’s version critiques how such suffering is often overshadowed or trivialized by capitalist culture and media spectacle.
Printed in high-contrast black and white, the figures stand out with haunting clarity. The piece is a direct commentary on American imperialism, corporate dominance, and society’s desensitization to violence.
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.
More from Banksy
