• Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower), 2003

    Screen-print in colors on wove paper

    50cm x 70cm

    Edition of 500 (50 Signed)

    Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower), 2003

    Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower), 2003 is one of the most recognisable Banksy prints to date. The iconic figure throwing a bouquet of flowers appears in various forms throughout Banksy's catalogue. Shown throwing a bouquet of flowers as if it's a molotov cocktail, juxtaposing an aggressive image with the distribution of a symbol of peace.
     
    Parallels can be drawn between the imagery of flowers and polictical activism, such as anti-war protests of the 1960s. The depicition of these themes are consistent through Banksy's career, contiually criticising the presence of war within our societies and the siginificance of political dissent. By recontextualizing a violent gesture with a symbol of hope, Banksy provokes the viewer to reflect on the power of nonviolent resistance.
  • "No-one fighting in the trenches ever called out for more war poets"

     

    - Banksy

    This print was based on the 'Love is in the Air, 2003'  large scale mural that Banksy painted in Palestine. From the original piece, there have been a varitety of murals, canvases and prints infleunced by this initial mural, leading 'Love is in the Air' to become one of Banksy's most prominent stencils. This subversive imagery highlights how art can call for dialogue, urging communities to confront the paradox of violence and the pursuit of peace. The universal appeal of Love is in the Air underscores Banksy's ability to blend social commentary with simplicity, making complex political messages more impactful.