The Flower Thrower, Flower Bomber, Rage, or Love is in the Air is a 2003 stencil mural in Beit Sahour in the West Bank by the graffiti artist Banksy, depicting a masked man throwing a bunch of flowers.[1] It is considered one of Banksy's most iconic works; the image has been widely replicated.[1]
| Flower Thrower | |
|---|---|
 Original mural in Beit Sahour in 2020 | |
| Artist | Banksy |
| Year | 2003 |
The figure’s posture, ready to throw, conveys both tension and resistance, representing the desire for change in oppressive environments. As art critic David J. M. Allen suggests, “The flowers symbolize hope, while the figure’s stance reflects defiance against oppression.” The bouquet in the figure’s hand acts as a symbol of hope, calling for peace in a world often marked by violence and conflict. The defiance shown by the figure reflects a universal call for peaceful resistance, a core message in many of Banksy’s works.
Art historian Anne-Marie Koo interprets Banksy’s broader message in pieces like Flower Thrower as an effort to provoke societal reflection, as well as engagement. She notes, “Banksy’s work challenges societal norms, pushing viewers to rethink the role of art in activism.” This artwork, in particular, engages with themes of peace, resistance, and activism, urging viewers to reconsider the effectiveness and morality of violence as a means of protest.
It was inspired by images of 1960s protests, such as Bruno Barbey photograph of the May 68 protests in France (e.g. his photograph of Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th arrondissement, Paris, France. May 6, 1968).[2]
An earlier version was originally drawn by Banksy in 1999 and presented at his first exhibition in 2000.[3]
Studio Release
editFlower Thrower was released as a screenprint edition of 150 signed versions and 600 unsigned versions by the publisher's Pictures on Walls in 2003. The work features the motif of the masked man set on a red background.[4] [5][6]
The motif was also used overlaid against a red CCCP text in 2003 in an edition of 8 to 10 known as CCCP Love Is in the Air.[7] On 13 July 2023, an example of CCCP Love Is in the Air sold for £53,340 at the "New Now" auction at Phillips auction house, London.[8]
See also
editReferences
edit
- ^ a b Enrico Bonadio & Olivia Jean-Baptiste: Banksy’s Battle with Trade Mark Law: the ‘Flower Thrower’ Case, NUART JOURNAL 2021 VOLUME 3 NUMBER 1 22–27
- ^ Blanché, U. (2020). "Banksys Flower Thrower – Hintergrund und Kontext". In Andreas Veits; Lukas R.A. Wilde; Klaus Sachs-Hombach (eds.). Einzelbild & Narrativität: Theorien, Zugänge, offene Fragen (in German). Herbert von Halem Verlag. pp. 41–55. ISBN 978-3-86962-402-0.
- ^ Blanché, U. (2020). "Banksys Flower Trower – Hintergrund und Kontext". In Andreas Veits; Lukas R.A. Wilde; Klaus Sachs-Hombach (eds.). Einzelbild & Narrativität: Theorien, Zugänge, offene Fragen (in German). Herbert von Halem Verlag. pp. 41–55. ISBN 978-3-86962-402-0.
Im Ramen seiner ersten öffentlichen Ausstellung (Februar 2000) im Restaurant Severnshed mit dem Titel »Banksy Exhibition. New Paintings, Photographs and Graffiti« zeigte eine der im Rahmen dessen, im Ausstellungstitel erwähnten Fotografien auch in Foto der Frontalversion. Das Foto betitelte Banksy selbst mit »Flower Bomber, Bristol 1999. © Bristol Photography«
- ^ Allen, David J. M. The Art of Peace: Banksy’s Symbolism of Hope and Defiance. Art Review Weekly, 2022.
- ^ Koo, Anne-Marie. Activism and Art: Banksy’s Role in Shaping Modern Street Art, 2021 Art Perspectives Journal, 2021.
- ^ "Banksy Love is in the Air | Meaning & History". Andipa Editions.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|url=(help) - ^ "Banksy CCCP Love is in the Air | Meaning & History". Andipa Editions. Retrieved 2023-07-06.
- ^ "Banksy - New Now London Thursday, July 13, 2023". Phillips. Retrieved 2023-07-18.