FLOWER THROWER / LAUGH NOW / BOMB HUGGER, 2002

Title: Flower Thrower / Laugh Now / Bomb Hugger
Year: 2002
Dimensions: 43x43cm (16 7/8 x 16 7/8 inches)
Signature: Stenciled with the signature on the overlap (i) Signed, numbered 1/5 and dated 2002 on the stretcher (ii) Signed, numbered 1/1 and dated LA 2002 on the stretcher (iii) Signed, numbered 4/5 and dated LA 2002 on the stretcher

Exhibition

Los Angeles, 33 1/3 Gallery, Existencilism, 2002

Provenance

33 1/3 Gallery, Los Angeles
Acquired directly from the above by the present owner in 2002

Auction History

Sotheby’s

Lot #307

Result not published

View lot

Prices are inclusive of buyer’s premium unless stated otherwise, as reported by the auction houses.

Catalogue Note

Banksy held his first Los Angeles exhibition, Existencilism, at the 33 1/3 Gallery.

The title is typical Banksy humor whereby he intentionally misspells the word “Existentialism” by throwing “stencil” in it – certainly a playful way for the artist to elevate street and stencil art to a school of thought as important as philosophy.

Existencilism is also the title of Banksy’s second self-published book from May, 2002.

Existencilism opened on July 19, 2002. Despite the fact that it was the artist’s debut in the US, the show was very successful and very nearly sold-out.

Some of Banksy’s most iconic works were shown to the public for the first time at this event including Love Is In The Air, Barcode, Queen Victoria, and Laugh Now. A few years later he would return to Los Angeles to create the smash hit Barely Legal.

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