Flower Thrower

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 (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

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.^{[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

• List of works by Banksy