A History of Banksy GDP Flower Thrower - Now in Stock

A History of Banksy GDP Flower Thrower - Now in Stock

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. 

The Genesis of 'GDP Flower Thrower'

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.

Release as a Screenprint and the Gross Domestic Product Store

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.

GDP Flower Thrower and GDP Rat - Now Available

Banksy's 'GDP Flower Thrower' is therefore heavy-laden with references to the commercialisation of art, the ongoing war in Gaza, and attempts to build peace in a world of conflicts. To own one of these screenprints is to own a piece of art history, and for that reason, we are very happy to announce that we now have our very own GDP Flower Thrower Screenprint in stock at Smolensky Gallery, as well as the GDP Rat Screenprint which was already available.

Banksy, GDP Flower Thrower, 2019	Banksy, GDP Rat, 2019
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