Sale Ends (version 2) is a revisitation of Banksy's original 2006 work (Sale Ends, Los Angeles-version). The initial piece depicted four shrouded figures, rendered in Banksy's distinctive black-and-white stenciled aesthetic. These individuals are shown in postures of prayer and veneration, directed toward a bold red sign reading "SALE ENDS TODAY." Their attire echoes the mourning figures traditionally found at the base of the crucifixion in Renaissance art, further reinforcing the religious undertones of the composition.
The work presents a powerful critique of modern consumer culture, drawing a parallel between religious worship and the fervent devotion society often displays toward material goods and commercial transactions. The sign, reminiscent of aggressive retail advertisements, becomes an emblem of the pervasive and often unquestioned influence of consumerism.
In Version 2, Banksy introduces a fifth figure into the scene, enhancing the sense of collective mourning and adoration. Although this additional figure adopts a different posture, the thematic core remains unchanged. The piece continues to underscore the quasi-religious, and thus important, significance attributed to capitalism and consumption in contemporary life, offering a poignant commentary on the spiritual void that consumerism attempts (and often fails) to fill.