Title: "Smiley Riot Shield - 2nd Class 200th Peterloo Massacre Anniversary.
This essential work of modern political satire is by a foundational figure in British counter-culture, renowned for his work with The KLF.
Law, Rebellion, and the Contested Smiley
The work explores the triple layer of satire behind the smiley symbol. It subverts the corporate-owned, legally-contested image originally created by Harvey Ball by placing it on a tool of state violence—the police riot shield. This merges the hedonistic rebellion of the Acid House era with a critique of the underlying violence of the establishment.
Medium: Fine art Giclée print made using high-quality light-fast inks on matt stock paper.
Dimensions: 30.5 cm x 33 cm.
Edition Details: Limited Edition of 200, hand-numbered in pencil.
Unique Stamping: Officially authenticated with two satirical rubber stamps: "i Protest The Cautese National Postal Disservice" (red ink) and "Limited Edition Stamp of Mass Destruction" (black ink).
Originally purchased from Cauty's spiritual home, The L-13 Light Industrial Workshop in London, circa 2019. The print is in excellent condition, having been stored flat from new. It is shipped via a fully insured and tracked service in gallery-grade protective packaging.
Title: "Smiley Riot Shield - 2nd Class 200th Peterloo Massacre Anniversary.
This essential work of modern political satire is by a foundational figure in British counter-culture, renowned for his work with The KLF.
Law, Rebellion, and the Contested Smiley
The work explores the triple layer of satire behind the smiley symbol. It subverts the corporate-owned, legally-contested image originally created by Harvey Ball by placing it on a tool of state violence—the police riot shield. This merges the hedonistic rebellion of the Acid House era with a critique of the underlying violence of the establishment.
Medium: Fine art Giclée print made using high-quality light-fast inks on matt stock paper.
Dimensions: 30.5 cm x 33 cm.
Edition Details: Limited Edition of 200, hand-numbered in pencil.
Unique Stamping: Officially authenticated with two satirical rubber stamps: "i Protest The Cautese National Postal Disservice" (red ink) and "Limited Edition Stamp of Mass Destruction" (black ink).
Originally purchased from Cauty's spiritual home, The L-13 Light Industrial Workshop in London, circa 2019. The print is in excellent condition, having been stored flat from new. It is shipped via a fully insured and tracked service in gallery-grade protective packaging.
