Christ with Shopping Bags

Medium: Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Year: 2004
Sheet: 70×50 cm (27 1/2 x 19 3/4 inches)
Edition: 82 signed
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
 
Christ with Shopping Bags, also known as CWSB, portrays the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, yet Banksy has removed the structure of the cross from the iconic scene. Jesus Christ is holding shopping bags, carefully wrapped with fluorescent pink ribbons, and seeping with black blood. The viewer can glimpse Christmas presents such as candy cane and Mickey Mouse. The image is undoubtedly meant as a satire on modern commercialism, pointing a finger at the hypocrisy of modern celebration.
 
The intrusion of consumerism and modern commercialism in the hands of Jesus Christ evokes a sense of unease. Furthermore, Jesus Christ appears in pain, weighed down by the shopping bags, symbolizing the damage consumerism has on the original values of Christianity such as charity, compassion, forgiveness and gratitude. Banksy uses effective motifs such as the melting gifts to suggest the ephemerality of modern Christmas, whilst the crucifixion represents how society has sacrificed happiness for material things, which offer only transitory joy.
 
The grey background and muted colors evoke a sense of foreboding and gloom at the same time reinforcing Banksy’s comment on the superficiality of modern Christmas in this clever composition. Unusually for Banksy, this striking visual was never shown on the street, and its relatively low edition size places it in high demand.
Walled Off Hotel, Jerusalem

It is not the only time that Banksy uses the image of Jesus Christ to make a point… Another very provocative artwork was shown at the Walled Off Hotel together with drones to illustrate the artist’s anti-war position…

AUCTION RESULTS

2025 Sold Once
Selling Price: USD 64,000 @ Julien’s Auction on 25 September 2025
2024 Sold Twice
Average Price: GBP 44,100 (USD 57,069)
Top Price: GBP 48,000 (USD 63,888) @ Sotheby’s online on 26 September 2024
2023 Sold Twice
Average Price: GBP 84,100 (USD 103,443)
Top Price: GBP 94,500 (USD 116,235) @ Christie’s online on 14 March 2023
2022 Sold 3 Times
Average Price: GBP 106,780 (USD 134,867)
Top Price: GBP 151,200 (USD 199,584) @ Christie’s online on 15 March 2022
2021 No Sale at Auction in 2021
2020 Sold Once
Auction Record Price: GBP 175,000 (USD 231,000) @ Christie’s online on 23 September 2020

2025 Auction Results

Julien’s Auction: 25 September 2025
Estimated: USD 50,000 – 70,000
USD 64,000

BANKSY (British, b. 1974)
Christ with Shopping Bags, 2004
Screenprint on paper
Signed to the lower right in pencil by Banksy
Numbered to the lower left in pencil 10/82

2024 Auction Results

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 48,000 / USD 63,888

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Christ With Shopping Bags, 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated and numbered 44/82

Forum Auctions: 30 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 30,000 (HAMMER)
GBP 40,200 / USD 50,250

BANKSY (b.1974)
Christ with Shopping Bags (Signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, numbered from the edition of 82

2023 Auction Results

Christ with Shopping Bags sold twice at auction in 2023. It sold at Christie’s online on 14 March 2023 for GBP 94,500 (USD 116,235), and at Forum Auctions on 31 January 2023 for GBP 73,700 (USD 90,650).

Christie’s online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 94,500 / USD 116,235

BANKSY
Christ with Shopping Bags, 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 64⁄82 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Forum Auctions: 31 January 2023
Estimated: GBP 55,000 – 75,000
Hammer GBP 55,000
GBP 73,700 / USD 90,650
BANKSY
Christ with Shopping Bags, 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 82

2022 Auction Results

Christ with Shopping Bags sold 3 times at auction in 2022 at an average price of GBP 106,780 (USD 134,867).
It sold at Christie’s online on 15 March 2022 for  GBP 151,200 (USD 199,584), its highest price in 2022.

Christie’s online: 21 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 100,800 / USD 120,960


BANKSY
Christ with Shopping Bags, 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 43/82 in pencil, lower left
Forum Auctions: 17 July 2022
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 51,000 (Hammer)
GBP 68,340 / USD 84,060

BANKSY (b.1974)
Christ with Shopping Bags (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 82 in pencil

Christie’s online: 15 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
 GBP 151,200 / USD 199,584

BANKSY
Christ with Shopping Bags, 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower right
Numbered 37/82 in pencil, lower left

Prior Years Auction Results

Christie’s online: 23 September 2020
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 175,000 / USD 231,000
AUCTION RECORD FOR CHRIST WITH SHOPPING BAGS
BANKSY
Christ with Shopping Bags, 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower left
Numbered 73/82 in pencil, lower left