This week, we're diving into the chaotic, darkly humorous world of Banksy with his monumental oil painting, Devolved Parliament.
The image you've shared captures the artist's largest-known canvas, depicting a scene from the very heart of British democracyâthe House of Commonsâbut with a famously satirical twist: every single politician, from the Speaker to the backbenchers, has been replaced by a chimpanzee.
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A Primal Scene of Politics
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The Artwork: First unveiled in 2009 under the title Question Time, the painting was revisited and retitled in 2019 to coincide with the original scheduled Brexit day. Its new name, Devolved Parliament, is a biting play on words, suggesting not just a transfer of power but a regression to a more primal, chaotic state.
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The Setting: The grand, wood-paneled chamber of the House of Commons is instantly recognizable, lending a formal, almost historical-painting gravity to the absurd scenario playing out within its walls.
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The Message: The chimpanzeesâa recurring motif in Banksy's work (recall his 2002 piece Laugh Now with the inscription "Laugh now, but one day weâll be in charge")âare engaged in what appears to be a heated, unruly debate, or perhaps just simple 'monkey business.' It's a stark, visceral critique of the perceived ineptitude, absurdity, and animalistic chaos of modern political discourse.
"I made this 10 years ago. Bristol Museum have just put it back on display to mark Brexit day. 'Laugh now, but one day no one will be in charge'." - Banksy, 2019
