'Air France' by Nick Walker, 2017
Rare, early, Artist's Proof featuring his iconic bowler-hatted, paint-splattering “Vandal” figure.
9.75 x 9.75 Inches
24.7 x 27.7 Centimeters
Silkscreen print on 320gsm textured watercolor art paper.
Limited Edition of 100 with 15 Artist's Proofs (Épreuve d’Artiste) (#EA 2/15).
Hand-signed by the artist in pencil bottom right.
Hand-numbered and embossed bottom left.
Comes in original wrapping.
ABOUT THE ART
Nick Walker is a pioneering British street artist widely regarded as one of the key figures in the evolution of stencil graffiti. Emerging from the influential Bristol scene in the 1980s alongside artists like Banksy, Walker developed a distinctive visual language that combines refined stencil technique with wit, social commentary, and a sense of theatrical storytelling. His work often features his iconic bowler-hatted figure known as “The Vandal,” a recurring character that embodies both rebellion and sophistication—subverting traditional notions of vandalism through elegance and intent.
This early print captures The Vandal in one of Walker’s most recognizable narratives, depicted walking away from a freshly “tagged” 'Air France' aircraft, paint cans in hand. The stark contrast between the industrial setting and the vibrant drips of color emphasizes the tension between authority and artistic expression, while also introducing themes of globalization, travel, and cultural disruption. Walker’s precise stencil work and controlled composition elevate what could be seen as an act of defiance into a carefully orchestrated visual statement.
Designated as an Épreuve d’Artiste (E.A.), this artist’s proof is part of a small subset outside the main edition, reserved for the artist and close circle. With its limited quantity and connection to Nick Walker’s early body of work, the piece represents both a collectible artifact of the street art movement and a defining example of the artist’s enduring influence on contemporary urban art.