The ''Flower Thrower'', ''Flower Bomber'', ''Rage'', or ''Love is in the Air'' is a 2003
stencil mural in
Beit Sahour
Beit Sahour or Beit Sahur (; Palestine grid 170/123) is a State of Palestine, Palestinian town east of Bethlehem, in the Bethlehem Governorate of the West Bank in the State of Palestine. The city is under the administration of the Palestinian Nat ...
in the
West Bank
The West Bank is located on the western bank of the Jordan River and is the larger of the two Palestinian territories (the other being the Gaza Strip) that make up the State of Palestine. A landlocked territory near the coast of the Mediter ...
by the graffiti artist
Banksy
Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist, and film director whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. Active since the 1990s, his satirical street art and subversive ep ...
, depicting a masked man throwing a bunch of flowers.
[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 It is considered one of Banksy's most iconic works; the image has been widely replicated.
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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
May 68 () was a period of widespread protests, strikes, and civil unrest in France that began in May 1968 and became one of the most significant social uprisings in modern European history. Initially sparked by student demonstrations agains ...
protests in France (e.g. his photograph of Boulevard Saint-Germain, 6th arrondissement, Paris, France. May 6, 1968).
An earlier version was originally drawn by Banksy in 1999 and presented at his first exhibition in 2000.
Studio release
''Flower 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.
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''. 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.
See also
* List of works by Banksy
The following is a list of works by Banksy. Banksy, active since the 1990s, is an England-based graffiti artist, political activist and film director whose real identity is unknown. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark hu ...
References
{{Banksy
2000s murals
2007 paintings
Works by Banksy