One cushion states, “Life’s too short” while the other reads, “to take advice from a cushion.”

While immediately funny to the reader, these also present an empathetic response to those who feel overwhelmed by the barrage of positivity sometimes imposed by homewares brands and Instagram influencers. In that world, any of us can sometimes feel inadequate when faced with our own negative feelings. In a world where structural inequality and austerity prevents many from “chasing their dreams,” it is natural to feel animosity towards cushions encouraging people that “the only limit is your imagination.”

Each pair of cushions is unique, as they are “upcycled” from “what gets found in the charity shop.”

In fact, Cushions have a stronger symbolism for Banksy. Indeed, many of the most iconic Banksy’s artworks, such as Girl with Balloon, or Flower Thrower, have already been made into various mugs, cushions, or t-shirts by companies who took advantage of the artist’s lack of trademark to produce soft furnishings, allowing fans to buy their own little bit of subversive street art. In fact the GDP shop came about as a result of one of these companies taking action to acquire the rights to the artist’s name. With this venture, Banksy ensured he retained control over the line of products released with his designs and could now show the imitators to be counterfeiters. With this work and the whole GDP project, Banksy proved once again to be the kind of artist that toes the line between accessibility and commercialization.

Roseberys London: 25 June 2025
Estimated: GBP 4,000 – 5,000
GPB 3,674 / USD 5,005

BANKSY (British b.1974)
Cushions, 2019
A pair of Gross Domestic Product cushions
Unique hand stitched cushions
Released as part of the GDP show, 2019
Each cushion set is unique

LA Modern: 3 December 2024
Estimated: USD 6,000 – 8,000
USD 3,780

BANKSY (b.1975)
Gross Domestic Product Cushions (set of two), 2019
Automobile paint, textile
From the edition of unknown size produced by Gross Domestic Product, London
Sold with Gross Domestic Product card tag

Roseberys London: 21 November 2024
Estimated: GBP 5,000 – 7,000
GPB 5,248 / USD 6,605

BANKSY (British b.1974-)
Cushions, 2019
A pair of Gross Domestic Product cushions,
Unique hand sprayed car paint on cushions
Released as part of the GDP show, 2019,
Each cushion set is unique
Comes with Gross Domestic product card tag

LA Modern: 10 October 2024
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 6,300

Tate Ward Auctions: 13 July 2022
Estimated: GBP 11,000 – 13,000
GBP 13,750 / USD 16,385

BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Cushions’, 2019
A pair of Gross Domestic Product Cushions
Unique hand-sprayed car paint on cushions
Released as part of the Banksy GDP Show
From an unknown edition size

Tate Ward Auctions: 24 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 28,000 – 32,000
GBP 35,000 / USD 48,015
AUCTION RECORD FOR BANKSY CUSHIONS

BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Cushions’, 2019
A pair of Gross Domestic Product Cushions
Unique hand-sprayed car paint on cushions
Released as part of the Banksy GDP Show, 2019
From an unknown edition size