
Banksy
Flower Thrower Triptych VIP , 2019
Set of three screen prints on recycled card in artist's frame
Flowers : 33 1/8 x 25 5/8 in (framed)
Flowers : 84 x 65 cm (framed)
Thrower : 43 x 31 in (framed)
Thrower : 109.5 x 78.8 cm (framed)
Hand : 22.2 x 17.7 in (framed)
Hand : 56.5 x 45 cm (framed)
Flowers : 84 x 65 cm (framed)
Thrower : 43 x 31 in (framed)
Thrower : 109.5 x 78.8 cm (framed)
Hand : 22.2 x 17.7 in (framed)
Hand : 56.5 x 45 cm (framed)
Edition of 300
Series: Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower)
Copyright The Artist
'Banksy's 'Love is in the Air' (often referred to as the 'Flower Thrower') is one of the most iconic images created by the elusive British street artist. First appearing in...
"Banksy's "Love is in the Air" (often referred to as the "Flower Thrower") is one of the most iconic images created by the elusive British street artist. First appearing in 2003 on a wall in Jerusalem, the artwork swiftly gained international recognition and has since become synonymous with Banksy's unique style of provocative, socially conscious art.
The artwork depicts a young, masked protester in a throwing stance, but instead of hurling a molotov cocktail or a rock, he is throwing a bouquet of flowers. The image is a powerful juxtaposition of violence and peace, anger and love. The subject's posture and energy suggest aggression and intensity, yet the flowers introduce an element of non-violence and perhaps a call for peace, challenging the viewer to reconsider their perceptions of protest and resistance.
The style of the piece is characteristic of Banksy's stencil technique, which allows for a high level of detail and contrast. The monochromatic figure is set against a colored background, making the image stand out starkly. This style has been a hallmark of Banksy's work, allowing him to convey complex messages through relatively simple images.
"Love is in the Air" has been interpreted in many ways. Some view it as an anti-war statement, reflecting the futile nature of violence and the power of peaceful protest. Others see it as a commentary on the romanticism of rebellion in the modern age, where the ideals of revolution and change are often juxtaposed with the harsh realities of violence. It can also be seen as a call to action, urging viewers to engage in acts of love and peace instead of aggression.
The image has been reproduced and displayed in various forms and locations around the world, including canvas prints, posters, and even as a motif on consumer merchandise. Like much of Banksy's work, "Love is in the Air" has transcended the world of street art, becoming a cultural symbol in its own right. It encapsulates the spirit of Banksy's art: visually striking, politically charged, and open to interpretation, leaving a lasting impact on its viewers."
The artwork depicts a young, masked protester in a throwing stance, but instead of hurling a molotov cocktail or a rock, he is throwing a bouquet of flowers. The image is a powerful juxtaposition of violence and peace, anger and love. The subject's posture and energy suggest aggression and intensity, yet the flowers introduce an element of non-violence and perhaps a call for peace, challenging the viewer to reconsider their perceptions of protest and resistance.
The style of the piece is characteristic of Banksy's stencil technique, which allows for a high level of detail and contrast. The monochromatic figure is set against a colored background, making the image stand out starkly. This style has been a hallmark of Banksy's work, allowing him to convey complex messages through relatively simple images.
"Love is in the Air" has been interpreted in many ways. Some view it as an anti-war statement, reflecting the futile nature of violence and the power of peaceful protest. Others see it as a commentary on the romanticism of rebellion in the modern age, where the ideals of revolution and change are often juxtaposed with the harsh realities of violence. It can also be seen as a call to action, urging viewers to engage in acts of love and peace instead of aggression.
The image has been reproduced and displayed in various forms and locations around the world, including canvas prints, posters, and even as a motif on consumer merchandise. Like much of Banksy's work, "Love is in the Air" has transcended the world of street art, becoming a cultural symbol in its own right. It encapsulates the spirit of Banksy's art: visually striking, politically charged, and open to interpretation, leaving a lasting impact on its viewers."
Provenance
Banksy's Flower Thrower Triptych VIP was released in 2019 as a signed edition of 300 and accompanied by a gold, ornate frame chosen by the artist. The work was available to buy through Banksy’s infamous pop-up Gross Domestic Product which took place in Croydon, South London. The work reinvents one of Banksy’s most famous motifs “Love is in the Air” and reimagines the figure through a closer, cropped image of the thrower set across a triptych. The motif is one of Banksy’s most beloved and first appeared in 2003 as a large format stencilled graffiti in Jerusalem shortly after the construction of the West Bank Wall. In Banksy’s own words the wall turned Palestine into “the World’s largest open prison”. The powerful, anti-war image shows a masked protester throwing a bunch of flowers at an unknown enemy. Subverting the notion of violence in protest, the work calls us to see love as the solution to our problems. Flowers, a tender and loving symbol, replace the hate and violence of a Molotov cocktail and, in typical Banksy fashion, the artist subverts out expectations. The work is said to be inspired by images of 1960s protests, such as the May 68 protests in France which was a significant moment of social and political upheaval that deeply impacted French society and is often linked to broader countercultural movements of the time, including the fight for worker rights, free speech, and social change.%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22artist%22%3EBanksy%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22title_and_year%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_title%22%3EFlower%20Thrower%20Triptych%20VIP%20%3C/span%3E%2C%20%3Cspan%20class%3D%22title_and_year_year%22%3E2019%3C/span%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22medium%22%3ESet%20of%20three%20screen%20prints%20on%20recycled%20card%20in%20artist%27s%20frame%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22dimensions%22%3EFlowers%20%3A%2033%201/8%20x%2025%205/8%20in%20%28framed%29%20%3Cbr/%3E%0AFlowers%20%3A%2084%20x%2065%20cm%20%28framed%29%20%3Cbr/%3E%0AThrower%20%3A%2043%20x%2031%20in%20%28framed%29%20%3Cbr/%3E%0AThrower%20%3A%20109.5%20x%2078.8%20cm%20%28framed%29%20%3Cbr/%3E%0AHand%20%3A%2022.2%20x%2017.7%20in%20%28framed%29%20%3Cbr/%3E%0AHand%20%3A%2056.5%20x%2045%20cm%20%28framed%29%20%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22edition_details%22%3EEdition%20of%20300%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv%20class%3D%22series%22%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22artwork_caption_prefix%22%3ESeries%3A%3C/span%3E%20Love%20is%20in%20the%20Air%20%28Flower%20Thrower%29%3C/div%3E
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