The Most Famous Works by Banksy: A Look at the Most Iconic and Controversial Artworks by the Street Artist

You have seen it spray-painted on walls, reproduced on T-shirts, and sold at auctions for millions—but what is Banksy’s most famous artwork, and why does it resonate with the world?

Banksy, the elusive British street artist, has transformed the global art landscape. His graffiti-style stencils and challenging socio-political messages blur the line between rebellion and fine art. From London walls to Sotheby’s auction rooms, Banksy artworks provoke debate, inspire movements, and challenge how we see authority, consumerism, and even art itself.

This article explores Banksy’s most famous artworks, their meaning, and their cultural impact. We are also going to show how contemporary creators at TrendGallery.art reinterpret similar urban, abstract, and political themes for today’s interiors.

Who Is Banksy? A Legacy of Anonymous Rebellion

Banksy is an anonymous UK-based artist, thought to have emerged from Bristol’s underground graffiti scene in the 1990s. His hallmark: stencil graffiti mixed with biting satire.

Anti-establishment: Banksy critiques governments, corporations, and mass media.
Cultural crossover: His pieces appear in museums, fashion collections, and private homes worldwide.
Mystery factor: His anonymity has only fueled fascination and skyrocketed the value of Banksy paintings.

Banksy’s most famous art is not just visually striking—it is culturally disruptive.

Banksy’s Most Famous Artworks

1. Girl with Balloon / Love Is In the Bin

Perhaps the most famous work of art by Banksy. The 2002 “Girl with Balloon” shows a child reaching for a heart-shaped balloon—symbolizing hope and loss. In 2018, during a Sotheby’s auction, the piece partially shredded itself, retitled “Love Is In the Bin.”

Themes: Fragility of art, consumerism in art markets.

Impact: Sold for $1.4M, then resold for $25.4M—making it one of Banksy’s most expensive artworks.

2. Flower Thrower (Love Is in the Air)

It depicts a masked protester hurling not a Molotov cocktail but a bouquet of flowers.

Themes: Peace vs. aggression, revolution with compassion.
Where: Jerusalem wall.

Message: Protest can be powerful yet peaceful.

3. Devolved Parliament

An oil painting showing the UK Parliament filled with chimpanzees.

Themes: Dysfunction in politics.
Auction record: Sold at Sotheby’s in 2019 for $12.2M.

Cultural resonance: A satirical mirror to Brexit-era chaos.

4. Kissing Coppers

Two male policemen kissing in Brighton, England.

Themes: LGBTQ+ rights, defiance of authority.

Cultural impact: Sparked discussions on representation and a role of public art in visibility.

5. Bomb Hugger

A young girl tenderly embraces a bomb.

Themes: Innocence colliding with war.
Style: Classic Banksy irony—juxtaposing tenderness and destruction.

6. Flying Copper

A policeman with a machine gun and a bright yellow smiley face.

Themes: Police brutality vs. enforced cheerfulness.
Impact: Criticises institutional power hidden under “friendly” facades.

7. One Nation Under CCTV

A wall mural showing a child painting the words while being watched by a security guard.

Themes: Culture under surveillance, rebellion of the youth.
Relevance today: A direct commentary on the rise of Big Brother-style state monitoring.

8. Son of a Migrant from Syria

A mural in Calais depicting Steve Jobs carrying an old Apple computer and a sack.

Themes: Migration, innovation, identity.
Message: Even Jobs was the son of a Syrian migrant.

9. Laugh Now

A line of apes wearing sandwich boards reading: “Laugh now, but one day we’ll be in charge.”

Themes: Human arrogance, collapse of society.

Market value: Originals have sold for millions.

Themes in Banksy’s Art

Banksy’s artworks share recurring motifs:

Anti-authoritarianism – Critiques of police, politicians, and institutions.
War and peace – From flowers to bombs, the tension is constant.
Consumerism – Art auctions, fast fashion, and capitalism all come under fire.
Surveillance – Commentaries on CCTV, data, and control.
Migration and identity – Stories of refugees and immigrants.
Humor and irony – Complex issues framed through wit and satire.

Banksy Style in Interior Décor

Once rebellious street graffiti, Banksy’s paintings now decorate modern homes and offices. Homeowners and collectors embrace urban art as:

Focal points: A large Banksy artwork becomes an instant conversation starter.
Cultural signals: It shows alignment with progressive values and counterculture.
Interior synergy: Street art works beautifully in loft apartments, creative studios, and minimalistic spaces.

TrendGallery.co.uk & Street-Inspired Wall Art

If you love the most famous artworks by Banksy but want something unique, TrendGallery.co.uk offers hand-painted modern art that channels similar rebellious energy.

Specialties: Abstract, minimalist, urban, graffiti-inspired, and political statement art.
Custom pieces: Commission large-scale canvases to fit your space.
Examples:

Urban Pulse – rhythmic strokes echoing city chaos.
Riot Flow – bold colors with anarchic undertones.
Graffiti Serenity – blending raw street elements with calming palettes.

These pieces let you capture the Banksy aesthetic without owning a fragile or unaffordable original.

How to Choose Banksy-Inspired Wall Art for Your Space

Contrast is key: Mix raw stencil graphics with sleek modern interiors.
Messaging matters: Choose a piece whose political or social message resonates with you.
Mood & placement:

Loft living rooms → bold graffiti canvases.
Bedrooms → minimalist, ironic stencil art.
Studios → abstract protest-inspired works.

Layered effect: Combine Banksy-style works with abstract canvases for depth.

Table: Banksy’s Famous Artworks & Themes

Artwork	Year	Key Theme	Notable Impact
Girl with Balloon / Love Is in the Bin	2002 / 2018	Hope, consumerism	Sold for $25.4M after shredding
Flower Thrower	2003	Peace vs. violence	Iconic global protest symbol
Devolved Parliament	2009	Politics as satire	Auctioned for $12.2M
Kissing Coppers	2004	LGBTQ+ rights	Sparked global debate
Bomb Hugger	2003	War & innocence	Anti-war emblem
Flying Copper	2003	Police authority	Critique of institutional power
One Nation Under CCTV	2008	Surveillance	Big Brother commentary
Son of a Migrant from Syria	2015	Migration, identity	Highlighted refugee crisis
Laugh Now	2002	Collapse of society	Market value in millions

Conclusion

Banksy’s most famous artworks remind us that art can be both a protest and a poetry. His stenciled walls and shredded canvases force society to confront its contradictions, while also decorating galleries and homes.

For those inspired by Banksy’s rebellious spirit but seeking original hand-painted canvases, TrendGallery.co.uk offers modern interpretations of urban, abstract, and political art. These works allow anyone to bring the edge of street art into elegant interiors.

👉 Explore bold, rebellious wall art today at TrendGallery.co.uk.