Banksy (b.1974) Single Lane Ahead, 2011 Spray enamel on street sign 46-7/8 x 46-7/8 inches (119.0 x 119.0 cm) with metal pole attached which is 90.9 inches (238cm) high Signed and dated on reverse: BANKSY / 2011 EXHIBITED: Art in the Streets, MOCA 2011, Los Angeles, California. Guy Hepner Gallery, New York This work is accompanied by a Pest Control Certificate of Authenticity. Banksy, the anonymous and elusive street artist, political activist, and film director, has captivated the art world with his audacious and thought-provoking works since his emergence in the early 1990s. Merging potent social commentary with a touch of dark humor, the artist's works frequently exhibit's his distinctive stencil-based artistic style and often features intricate symbolic references to a range of complex themes including consumerism, politics, the human condition, and the impact of war. Banksy ultimately encourages his audiences to question the status quo. Each work, is a captivating window into the mind of this modern-day provocateur and often cultivates a variety of interpretations by viewers. This ambiguity only adds to his art's intrigue and lasting impact on contemporary culture. Single Lane Ahead is no different; this archetypal piece is a testament to Banksy's eponymous style and desire to create urban utopias, where artistic beauty is entrenched into drab urban landscapes. The hourglass, reminiscent of vintage computer ideograms, evokes vanitas themes, urging viewers to make the most of their precious time. It calls attention to the ephemerality of life and love and the historical context in which the work was created. The year 2011 was a significant inflection point palpably punctuated by escalating tech adoption and increasingly invasive digital media companies reshaping how people interacted with each other and experienced life as a whole: through avatars, online profiles, and computer screens. Amidst this environment, the work serves as a poignant reminder of how technology has permeated our everyday existence and emphasizes the significance of treasuring life and the individuals around us in an ever-accelerating, digitally-driven world. The road sign, a "found object," serves as the backdrop for this work and adds to the allegory by symbolizing life's journey as a single-lane roadway: whereby the path ahead is rigid, uncertain, and without a clear opportunity for deviation or disembarkation. Adding the heart cascading within the hourglass' upper chamber imbues the image with a sense of urgency, emphasizing the need for caution and mindfulness on our journey. Banksy's brilliant synthesis of the sign's cautionary message and the hourglass metaphor compels us to slow down, unplug, and appreciate the splendor of real life and the people and moments that matter most. The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles featured this significant piece at the groundbreaking "Art in the Streets" exhibition in 2011. Curated by Director Jeffrey Deitch and Associate Curators Roger Gastman and Aaron Rose, the exhibition showcased a range of influential artworks and was the first major U.S museum survey of graffiti and street art. HID00307232019 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved