Banksy’s ‘Love is in the Air’ – Explained

Banksy’s ‘Love is in the Air‘ or ‘Flower Thrower‘ is one of Banksy’s most famous murals, painted directly onto the 760km West Bank Wall separating Israel from Palestine in 2003.

“essentially turns Palestine into the world’s largest open prison.” Banksy

…

The man is dressed as a militant, donning a baseball cap and a bandana to cover his lower face. His aggressive posture prepares him to hurl a bunch of flowers instead of a grenade or Molotov cocktail, as you might have expected. The change of ‘weapon’ is a symbolic appeal for love and peace to replace violence.

Banksy returned to the region in 2005 to paint nine more murals supporting freedom and equality for the Palestinians. Ten years later, Banksy returned again via underground tunnels to the Gaza Strip to highlight the plight of the people living there. Read more here.

In 2017, Banksy surprised the world by opening the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, which boasts the ‘worst view in the world’ and includes a triptych of the famous Love is in the Air, this time with real dried flowers.

Love Is In The Air is one of the most iconic Banksy murals, and the artist has created many versions, from works on canvas to a paper print with various colourways and the triptych edition, as seen at the Walled Off Hotel.

Love Is In The Air was released in 2003 as an edition of 500, out of which approximately 50 are signed (not always in order). Release prices were GBP 40 (unsigned) and GBP 80 (signed) back in 2003. 

Love Is In the Air 2003

Medium: Screenprint in colours on wove paper

Size: 50×70 cm (19 3/4 x 27 1/2 inches)

Total Edition: 500 (of which around 50 were signed) Artist’s Proofs: 27 signed AP

Signed: in black pen lower right (not necessarily numbered under 50)

Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Love Is In The Air is also featured on the cover of Banksy‘s book, Wall and Piece.

Please get in touch with us if you are interested in Love is in the Air artwork for your collection.

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