Summary
A masked protester is caught mid-throw in Banksy's signature black-and-white spray stencil, but instead of a Molotov cocktail his raised arm hurls a bouquet of flowers. In this variant the gesture's arc is traced by a circle of red stars rather than the usual single-color leaves, framing the figure's pitch and turning the act of rioting into an act of giving. It is one of the most recognized images in Banksy's entire output, first stencilled in Jerusalem and later editioned through Pictures on Walls.
Why It Matters
Flower Thrower is Banksy's clearest statement of nonviolent resistance: a balaclava-clad rioter in the classic throwing stance, but the weapon swapped for a bunch of flowers. The substitution converts an image of street conflict into a plea for peace, which is exactly why it has become shorthand for protest itself, reproduced on walls, placards and merchandise worldwide. Originating from the West Bank wall context, it carries a specific anti-war charge while remaining universal enough to read anywhere. The red-star arc in this version pushes the political reading further, evoking flags and revolutionary iconography while keeping the central message that love and gesture, not force, are the real weapons.
Collector Perspective
This is an exceptionally small run of just 20, which puts it far below the scale of Banksy's better-known POW screen-print editions (typically 150 signed / 500-750 unsigned) and into genuine rarity territory. At that edition size individual examples surface only rarely, so price discovery leans heavily on comparable signed Banksy works and the strength of provenance rather than frequent auction repeats. Buyers should treat documentation as decisive: confirm whether the example is signed or unsigned, secure any Pictures on Walls or gallery paperwork, and ideally obtain Pest Control authentication, which is the market's gatekeeper for Banksy resale. Given the iconic image and the tiny count, demand is durable, but the thin trade history means a wider bid-ask spread than the mass-market prints.
Historical Context
The image dates to 2003, squarely in Banksy's Stencil Boom era, when the artist's fast multi-layer stencils were spreading from Bristol and London onto walls internationally. The motif is rooted in his work around the Israeli West Bank barrier and the broader anti-war mood of the early 2000s Iraq War period, when imagery of rioters and Molotov cocktails was everywhere in news coverage. By replacing the firebomb with flowers, Banksy inverted that visual language at the exact moment it was most loaded. The work has since been retitled and reproduced endlessly (often as "Love Is in the Air"), cementing it as one of the defining images of the decade's protest art.
FAQ
What does Flower Thrower depict?
A masked man in a baseball cap and bandana is shown in a classic rioter's throwing pose, arm cocked back, but the object in his hand is a bouquet of flowers rather than a Molotov cocktail. In this variant the throw's trajectory is traced by an arc of red stars.
How large is the edition?
This is a very small edition of 20, making it considerably rarer than Banksy's standard Pictures on Walls print runs.
Is it signed or unsigned?
The title does not specify, so verify each example individually. Signed copies command a meaningful premium over unsigned ones; for any Banksy, confirm the signature status and seek Pest Control authentication before purchase.
What medium is it?
The medium is not documented for this specific example. The underlying image is a spray-paint stencil; Banksy's editioned versions of it are typically screen prints, so confirm the exact process for the piece in question.
Who is Banksy?
Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist who emerged from Bristol in the early 1990s, known for fast stencil work, dark humor, and anti-war, anti-establishment messages, with recurring motifs including rats, riot police, and children with balloons.
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.