Girl With Balloon Banksy

Banksy, Girl With Balloon, unsigned screenprint edition of 600, 2004

Balloon Girl, or Girl With Balloon, is one of Banksy’s, most notable works. In 2017, it was voted the UK's favourite artwork. This official unsigned print is a limited edition of 600, demonstrates the graffitied stencil technique Banksy has become renowned for the world over. This Banksy print is perhaps one of the most sought-after images for collectors, old and new. The work depicts a young girl – whose hair and dress are blowing in the wind - reaching for a red, heart-shaped balloon that has slipped from her grasp and is flying out of reach. The red balloon is an archetypal symbol many of us connect with; and the picture, depending on whether you see the girl as losing the balloon, or about to catch it, can be viewed either as a loss of innocence, or, the arrival of hope. The heart-shaped balloon has been recognised as a symbol for our dreams, our aspirations, our childhood innocence, and the heart shape may simply stand for love, hope, joy. This work, which was accompanied by a quotation that read, “there is always hope” originally appeared in London’s Southbank; though the city council ordered the work to be painted over. Girl With Balloon has grown to become one of Banksy’s most iconic works (Justin Bieber went so far as getting it tattooed!)