Save or Delete.

Description

Very limited distribution; the campaign was canceled, and few were released. Most were withdrawn due to the use of Disney’s objection to the use of Jungle Book characters images by Banksy.

The Save or Delete poster was created by renowned street artist Banksy in 2002 for a Greenpeace campaign focused on deforestation. Encapsulating the ignorance and horror associated with environmental destruction, the image shows the iconic cartoon characters from Disney’s The Jungle Book standing blindfolded amidst a devastated forest.

The poster is a limited edition offset lithograph printed on recycled paper. It is accompanied by a sheet containing eight stickers replicating the artwork. The sticker sheet measures 11.8 inches x 8.2 inches (30 cm x 21 cm) and, like the poster, remains in excellent, unused condition.

The poster clearly states “Image by Banksy” on the bottom right and “Greenpeace” on the bottom left, solidifying its origin and association with the artist and the environmental organization. However, including copyrighted characters without permission prompted a series of legal challenges that ultimately led to the campaign’s premature end.

A rarity with copyright issues

Shortly after its publication, Banksy’s Save or Delete poster ran into copyright issues due to including characters from Disney’s The Jungle Book. Being the copyright owner of these characters, the Disney corporation objected to Banksy’s unlawful use of them in his work. As a result, the Greenpeace campaign was canceled, and most of the posters were withdrawn from the market and destroyed. This print’s limited distribution and subsequent forced removal from the market has made it highly sought-after among collectors. The controversy surrounding the copyright infringement further enhances the poster’s appeal within the art world.