Donut (Chocolate) is a tribute to Banksy’s witty sense of humour and subversive politics. It was released as a signed, limited-edition coloured screen print series of 299 and no unsigned prints in 2009, along with other 299 signed editions of Donut (Strawberry). Additionally, Banksy released 25 hand-finished signed editions.
This comical image shows a police van surrounded by a convoy of motorbikes, topped with a large chocolate donut covered in sprinkles, a tongue-in-cheek reference to policemen’s famous love of donuts, especially in America. However, the light-hearted image potentially carries a critical undertone; is Banksy putting into question the values, purpose and set of priorities embodied by the police force? The donut could be a symbol of American capitalism and global imperialism, suggesting that the police might be driven by a selfish, individualistic desire, as well as being integral parts and enforcers of the larger authority - the technocratic system of government and consumer capitalism, which is Banksy’s utmost subject of critique.
