Banksy Tile ‘Mario and Cop’

This particular artwork featuring Mario and a police officer is often considered a parody of modern society and consumer culture. The image shows Mario, a symbol of nostalgia and video game culture, facing a police officer who appears to be examining his mushroom as if it were an illegal substance. Although this work has Banksy’s signature style, there is no direct statement from him about this artwork.

The interpretation may point to a critique of authority and the absurdity of how innocent or trivial things are often over-controlled in a world where rules and control are becoming more and more prominent. The use of Mario enhances the humor and irony, given his innocent and child-friendly origins.

Size: 10x10cm