Summary
Flower Bomber (Original Color) renders Banksy's most enduring image: a masked protester, cap pulled low and face covered with a bandana, frozen mid-throw in the posture of a rioter hurling a Molotov cocktail or brick — except his raised hand grips a vibrant bouquet of flowers instead of a weapon. The figure is executed entirely in Banksy's signature black-and-white stencil style, with the bunch of multicolored blooms providing the only burst of color. It is the color treatment of the artist's iconic peace-versus-aggression motif first stenciled on a Jerusalem wall and popularized through prints and the "Love Is in the Air" series.
Why It Matters
The image is arguably the single most recognizable piece of street-art iconography of the 21st century. By swapping a weapon for flowers, Banksy collapses the visual language of insurrection into an act of love, turning the photojournalistic cliche of the rioter at the barricade into a plea for peace. Originating from a 2003 stencil on the wall separating Israel and Palestine in Bethlehem, it functions as both anti-war statement and a broader argument that protest can be tender rather than violent. The motif has been endlessly reproduced, merchandised, and referenced, cementing its place as a defining symbol of Banksy's anti-establishment, pacifist worldview.
Collector Perspective
"Flower Bomber" is the image most collectors enter Banksy with, which cuts both ways: demand is deep and constant, but the motif also exists across countless formats and licensed objects, so condition, provenance, and exactly which version you hold drive value enormously. Hand-signed, numbered POW (Pictures on Walls) editions sit at the top of the market and command serious prices; unsigned editions and later or licensed reproductions are far more accessible but should not be confused with the artist-released prints. Because edition size and medium for this specific "Original Color" listing are not documented here, a buyer should verify the publisher, signature status, numbering, and any certificate before assigning a tier. As always with Banksy, authentication via Pest Control is the dividing line between a decorative object and a genuine collectible.
Historical Context
The motif debuted around 2003, when Banksy stenciled the masked flower-thrower on walls in Bethlehem near the Israeli West Bank barrier — a direct response to that conflict and to the wider post-9/11, Iraq War era of heightened militarism. It became a centerpiece of his pacifist imagery and was disseminated through the "Love Is in the Air" prints and, later, a wide range of color and monochrome treatments. This 2016 "Original Color" iteration belongs to the Contemporary era and reflects the continued circulation and re-presentation of the image more than a decade after the original wall piece, by which point the flower-thrower had become a global shorthand for peaceful resistance.
FAQ
What does Flower Bomber depict?
A masked, capped protester in the classic stance of someone hurling a Molotov cocktail or brick, but instead of a weapon his raised hand throws a bunch of bright, multicolored flowers. The figure is in black-and-white stencil; the bouquet is the only color.
Is this the same as the Flower Thrower or Love Is in the Air?
Yes. The image is known by several names — Flower Bomber, Flower Thrower, and Love Is in the Air — and originates from Banksy's 2003 wall stencil in Bethlehem near the Israeli West Bank barrier.
What is the edition size?
The edition size for this specific Original Color listing is not documented in our records. Banksy editions vary widely, and hand-signed, numbered Pictures on Walls (POW) releases are far scarcer and more valuable than unsigned or licensed versions.
Is it signed?
Signature status is not specified for this listing. With Banksy, hand-signed and numbered POW editions sit at the top of the market, so verify the signature, numbering, publisher, and any Pest Control authentication before purchase.
Who is Banksy?
Banksy is the anonymous England-based street artist who emerged from Bristol in the early 1990s, known for fast stencil work, dark humor, and anti-war, anti-capitalist, anti-establishment imagery — rats, monkeys, riot police, and children with balloons or weapons among his recurring motifs.
About the Artist
Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist, political activist and film director whose identity remains officially unconfirmed. Emerging from the Bristol underground scene in the early 1990s, he developed a fast, stencil-based technique for working in public space, pairing dark humour with anti-war, anti-capitalist and anti-establishment messages. Recurring motifs include rats, monkeys, riot police, and children with balloons or weapons. Many of his prints were published through Pictures on Walls and rank among the most heavily traded in the secondary market, while stunts such as the self-shredding Girl with Balloon, the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem and the Gross Domestic Product homeware line have made him one of the most recognised artists in the world.
Collecting Banksy at Gauntlet Gallery
Where can I buy authentic Banksy prints?
Gauntlet Gallery offers an extensive, authenticated inventory of Banksy prints and contemporary editions, with new drops added regularly. Browse the current collection at gauntlet.gallery.
How does Gauntlet Gallery ensure authenticity?
Gauntlet Gallery is built on curation, authenticity and transparency — every work is vetted and its provenance, edition details and condition are disclosed up front.
Does Gauntlet Gallery add new Banksy prints?
Yes. New drops are released regularly across Banksy and other leading artists; see gauntlet.gallery for the latest inventory.