BANKSY, BOMB HUGGER, UNSIGNED SCREEN PRINT EDITION OF 600, 2003
Bomb Hugger boldly depicts a ponytailed young girl hugging a bomb as though it were a cuddly toy. It’s among Banksy’s most sought-after prints on the market for both signed and unsigned versions. The iconography and message of this print strike as particularly shocking. The bomb, akin to that which one would see dropped from a bomber on 24 hour news coverage, evokes an imposing and sinister effect. The background's colour is a bright, fluorescent pink, which adds to the childlike innocence of the image and serves to accentuate the figure in the foreground.
This artwork is commenting on modern society’s affection for warfare, with bombs that are manufactured by some of our largest employers in the UK and sold by the millions like toys. Banksy is posing a decisive challenge to the press and politicians through this artwork, who portray warfare as an essential part of "democracy", attempting to justify its worthiness as a course of action to promote (or export) freedom, and peace. A more positive interpretation is that that Banksy is suggesting that the forces of love and peace can tame the forces of evil. The artist could be formulating the hope that perhaps through the love of innocent children we may one day achieve peace, akin to the themes we see in Girl With Balloon.
Read more about Bomb Hugger by Banksy.
ABOUT BANKSY
Banksy is undoubtedly the world’s most sought-after and talked about street artist, his work represents his political and social commentary on the world, and has appeared on city walls throughout it – from London to New York, from Jamaica to the Gaza Strip.
Banksy is not only known for his high profile murals, he has been releasing limited edition prints for many years, produced in various formats, including signed and unsigned works, as well as artist proofs and gift prints. However, only a very select number of people know exactly what the elusive street artist creates and how many he releases. Some editions, for example, are only made available to VIPs, collectors and friends of Banksy’s who are part of the much-coveted inner circle. This has only made the demand for his limited edition silkscreen prints and artists proofs in circulation, grow in popularity year on year. Learn more about street artist Banksy.
