A very rare collaboration by Banksy who painted this piece with the graffiti artist Stylo. It can be found in the courtyard of Cargo.
HMV, also known as His Master’s Voice, or Rocket Dog portrays a white dog casually pointing a bazooka towards a 19th century gramophone. Banksy seems to be commenting on the old-fashioned nature of the music industry which the dog intends to bring down. The use of block black and white detail adds to the work’s impact. Banksy appropriates the iconic logo of the British popular music and entertainment firm that was created in the 1920s. This work could also illustrate the lost battle of music retailers in the digital era. The gramophone also symbolizes past generations and conservatism the dog is determined to destroy in order to create room for something new.
His Master’s Voice was first tagged on the streets of Banksy’s hometown of Bristol. Then in 2003, the artist used the stencil on the walls of the courtyard of the Cargonightclub in London, this time with a colorful background consisting of undefined yellow and orange forms.
Cargo, a well-known venue on Rivington Street in the middle of Shoreditch, inLondon, is built inside an old railway tunnel showcasing murals from many urban artists. Acclaimed as a local masterpiece, Banksy’s work has been protected by perspex for about 15 years now and crowds still gather to see it.