Banksy, GDP Flower Thrower, 2019, Screenprint

Banksy, GDP Flower Thrower, 2019

Screenprint on 50gsm paper

57.5 x 76.5 cm (22.63 x 30.11 in)



During the two weeks in which Banksy's Gross Domestic Product homewares shop was open in Croydon, London, a limited number of ‘GDP Flower Thrower’ screenprints were distributed to children under the age of 16 at random intervals. The exact quantity of these items is unknown, but they are considered to be rare and difficult to come by especially in good condition

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In the world of contemporary art, few names evoke intrigue and mystery quite like Banksy. His works, often political, satirical, and thought-provoking, have captivated audiences worldwide. Among his most iconic pieces is 'Love Is In The Air', the origin source of the 'GDP Flower Thrower,' a poignant symbol of defiance and hope.

Banksy Love Is In The Air. Photo of banksy love is in the air mural in west bank palestine. Stencilled man launching bouquet of flowers instead of brick in protest
Banksy, whose true identity remains shrouded in secrecy, rose to prominence in the early 2000s through his distinctive stencil graffiti. His art serves as a form of social commentary, challenging conventional norms and raising pertinent questions about contemporary society.

'Love Is In The Air' was first unveiled as a stencil mural in the West Bank in 2003, during Banksy's visit to the Palestinian territories. Against the backdrop of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the piece depicts a masked protester poised to throw a bouquet of flowers rather than a Molotov cocktail—a powerful juxtaposition of violence and peace, resistance and beauty.

The GDP Flower thrower features only the hand holding the flowers from this original mural, and can be collected as part of a triptych which forms the entirety of the original 'Love Is In The Air' piece.

In 2019, in response to legal action taken against Banksy by a greeting card company attempting to gain commercial control of the artist's name and works, Banksy opened The Gross Domestic Product store in Croydon in 2019.

The shop featured a variety of homewares with Banksy motifs emblazened upon them, and was a display-only, with all sales being conducted online. The physical space was only open for two weeks, during which screenprints of the GDP Flower Thrower, GDP Rat, and Crisis as Usual were handed out at random to visitors to the store who were under the age of 16.

The legal dispute over Banksy's name added another layer of significance to the Gross Domestic Product store. It became a symbol of resistance against attempts to commercialize and control Banksy's work, reinforcing his status as a boundary-pushing artist unafraid to challenge the status quo.