Art Story

Love Is In The Air, also known as Flower Thrower or LIITA, stands as one of Banksy's most emblematic and resonant works. The image portrays a young man dressed in the attire of a protester - his face partially concealed by a bandana, a baseball cap worn backwards - caught in the act of throwing an object. Yet, rather than a weapon, he prepares to launch a bouquet of flowers.
The tension between the figure's aggressive stance and the gentle nature of his "weapon" forms the core of the work's striking symbolism. What initially appears to be an act of violence is, in fact, a gesture of peace. The bouquet becomes a stand-in for a grenade or Molotov cocktail, transforming an image of unrest into a call for love, unity and nonviolent resistance.
This piece exemplifies Banksy's signature visual language - stark stenciling, limited color palette, and powerful imagery - alongside his distinctive socio-political commentary. Love Is In The Air is not merely a work of street art; it is a powerful appeal for peace, confronting the aesthetics of protest with a message of hope.
The most recognized rendition of the piece was created in 2003 as a large-scale mural in Jerusalem, shortly after the construction of the West Bank Wall. Within this context, the image takes on even greater significance...