Flag (Gold) is a powerful example of Banksy’s anti-violence stance. It was released in 2008 as a limited edition signed screen print of 112 signed prints in gold and 1000 unsigned prints in silver. Gold Flags was also available to buy on formica, with 20 signed silver prints and 23 signed gold prints. Additionally, 20 signed artist’s proofs were given to the Ghetto Crew.
The gripping image shows children and adults on top of a car with two women holding up the American Flag against a glowing, golden moon. This scene is inspired by a famous photograph called ‘Raising the Flag’, taken by Joe Rosenthal in 1945 on Iwo Jima, showing a group of US Marines lifting the flag atop Mount Suribachi during World War II. The soldiers in this photograph are replaced by disenfranchised youth in Banksy’s unique rendition as a haunting commentary on the ‘falseness’ of the American Dream’s promise, and the undercurrent of violence and unrest in contemporary society.
