10 Works of Art by Street Artist, Banksy

“When you go to an art gallery, you are simply a tourist looking at the trophy cabinet of a few millionaires.” – Banksy

Banksy is one of the most provocative and elusive figures in contemporary art. Simultaneously revered and reviled, celebrated and censored, he operates on the thin line between graffiti and fine art. Banksy’s artworks—whether painted on crumbling urban walls or auctioned for millions—carry biting social commentary, dark humor, and sharp political critiques.

Despite his global fame, Banksy’s identity remains unknown. He is thought to be from Bristol, England, and emerged in the 1990s as part of the underground art scene. His distinctive use of stencils, spray paint, and striking imagery has become instantly recognizable. Often illegal and unauthorized, Banksy’s street pieces appear overnight, turning drab buildings into politically charged canvases.

Here are ten significant paintings by Banksy that reflect the spirit and complexity of his work:

1. Girl With a Balloon (2002)

One of Banksy’s most iconic pieces, Girl With a Balloon depicts a young girl reaching for—or releasing—a red heart-shaped balloon. It first appeared on London’s South Bank. The simplicity of the image belies its emotional depth: the balloon could represent lost innocence, hope, or love.

This piece gained even more notoriety when a framed version self-destructed via a hidden shredder moments after it sold for over £1 million at Sotheby’s in 2018. Renamed Love is in the Bin, the shredded artwork became a new Banksy creation, reinforcing his critique of the commodification of art.

2. Rage, the Flower Thrower (2003)

Painted on a wall in Jerusalem, this image shows a man in a rioter’s stance—bandana over his face, arm outstretched—but instead of a Molotov cocktail, he throws a bouquet of flowers. It’s a striking juxtaposition of aggression and peace, violence and beauty.

This piece exemplifies Banksy’s anti-war stance and subversion of traditional protest imagery. It asks viewers to imagine a world where love and peace replace conflict.

3. Kissing Coppers (2004)

Originally stenciled on the side of The Prince Albert pub in Brighton, England, this painting shows two British policemen locked in a passionate kiss. With its satirical twist on authority and sexuality, Kissing Coppers sparked widespread debate.

The pub owners eventually sold the piece (after removing it from the wall) for over £345,000. Its message remains clear: challenging societal norms and questioning institutional power structures.

4. Napalm (Can’t Beat That Feeling) (2004)

One of Banksy’s more disturbing images, Napalm recontextualizes the infamous Vietnam War photograph of Phan Thi Kim Phuc—known as the “Napalm Girl.” In Banksy’s version, the terrified, naked girl is flanked by Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald, their smiling faces sharply contrasting the horror.

This brutal critique of Western consumerism and desensitization to violence is a haunting reminder of how media and commerce often overshadow human suffering.

5. There Is Always Hope (2002)

Sometimes mistaken for Girl With a Balloon, this artwork features the phrase “There is Always Hope” stenciled beside a balloon drifting away. Painted on a wall near the South Bank in London, it plays with the idea of loss and optimism coexisting.

The words, often used out of context on social media and in advertising, ironically reflect Banksy’s warning about diluted meaning in modern culture.

6. Mobile Lovers (2014)

Discovered on a doorway in Bristol, Mobile Lovers shows a couple embracing while looking over each other’s shoulders at their phones. It’s a powerful commentary on digital distraction and our detachment from real human connection.

The piece was eventually sold to support a local youth club, illustrating how Banksy’s art can also have tangible positive effects in the communities where it appears.

7. Devolved Parliament (2009)

This oil painting, far from a wall mural, portrays the UK House of Commons occupied entirely by chimpanzees. Originally displayed at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, it sharply criticizes the absurdity and dysfunction of political institutions.

In 2019, amid Brexit chaos, the painting sold for a record-breaking £9.9 million at auction, underlining the irony of a rebellious anti-establishment artist becoming a darling of the art world elite.

8. The Mild Mild West (1999)

Painted on a building in Bristol, The Mild Mild West shows a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at riot police. The image plays on the classic phrase “Wild Wild West,” suggesting a darker undercurrent beneath Britain’s seemingly tame exterior.

It remains one of the artist’s earliest and most famous works, often cited as the moment Banksy began moving from local graffiti artist to global commentator.

9. Sweep It Under the Carpet (2006)

Located in Chalk Farm, London, this piece features a maid sweeping dirt under a brick wall, as though trying to hide society’s problems out of sight. The maid’s act of concealment suggests the way institutions often ignore or cover up difficult truths.

This work is a metaphor for systemic ignorance—especially regarding homelessness, inequality, and injustice.

10. Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower) (2003)

Similar in message to Rage, the Flower Thrower, this piece shows a masked protester hurling a bouquet instead of a weapon. Set against a stark backdrop, the image uses revolutionary imagery to convey peaceful resistance.

It has since become a symbol of non-violent protest and is frequently reproduced on merchandise and posters. Despite (or because of) this, its core message of love-as-resistance remains potent.