Banksie: Flower thrower

An image that is moving and important through the context in which it exists.

One of the most famous paintings by this artist.

It is located in Bethlehem in the West Bank, which is the area of Palestine, de facto controlled by Israel and constituting its administrative unit, called Judea and Samaria. Considered a contemporary masterpiece, it has become one of the most recognizable images of the present day. Banksy placed it on an ordinary city wall within easy reach of passers-by next to a gas station.

Banksy is known for placing his work in such a way that it is easy to see. Most of his public paintings are often resold, even if that means removing the wall they were painted on. The question is, of course, by what right someone considers them to be his / her property.

In 2005, a gay parade was held in Jerusalem, the participants of which were attacked by a counter-demonstration. Three people were stabbed and dozens hurt. According to many commentators, the black and white man in the picture shows a rioter on one side or the other. There is a hat worn backwards a scarf to hide the identity, however the flowers are colorful, vivid, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the gay pride flag.

The context of the place, Bethlehem, the West Bank, the occupation of Palestine … all of this is an electrifying setting for this pacifist work that seems to suggest the recommended forms of civil resistance to military force. There are more works by this extraordinary artist in Bethlehem. Hiking trails lead to them, which can be obtained at the hotel reception.

The image has become the subject of a dispute between Banksy and the greeting card company Full Color Black. In 2014, the artist’s representatives managed to reserve the right to use the sketch, but this year, after a two-year dispute between the artist and Full Color Black, the decision was withdrawn. European Union Office for Intellectual Property has decided that the artist cannot be unequivocally identified as the author of the work because he hides his identity.

Visit the ToTuart exhibition inspired by Banksy: