Black-Eye Susan
Love is in the Air, LIITA (Flower Thrower), 2003
Banksy
Graffiti
Jerusalem, Israel
Love Is In The Air, known as the Flower Thrower, was created by Banksy in 2003 as a large format stenciled graffiti in Jerusalem. The graffiti was designed on the 760km West Bank Wall that separates Palestine from Israel. Since then, it has become one of his most famous artworks because of the message — to wage peace. Banksy's Flower Thrower communicates a hope for a resolution to the conflict of these two places through civil activism of love and peace. Showing that they are genuinely the only weapons powerful enough to combat corruption and extremism during this time.
As this image portrays an act of violence, Banksy's subject also depicts the embodiment of peace and beauty with a bouquet of flowers. We see anger and frustration in the posture of the man, the flowers themselves show hope for peace and resolution. While the man in black and white, the flowers are in color, possibly representing a dark time and a wonderful time. To the locals, the Flower Thrower has been said to resemble the angel statue at a nearby church outside the village of Beit Sahour, in Shepherds Field, known as the Shepherds Angle. The Shepherds Angle is known as the Angle to bring the good news to the people that a Savior was born known as Jesus Christ. The locals insisted that Banksy knew about the figure when creating the stencil.
As the Shepards Angle brought the good news of Jesus, it is said that Jesus is the fulfillment of God's will. As we look back at the image of the Flower Thrower and now focus on the bouquet, we see there are yellow flowers with a dark black center, we can assume that these are Black-Eye Susans. They are native wildflowers from North America. Black-Eye Susans are a symbol of God's lasting beauty as it is known to bring light to the shadow self. Black-Eyed Susans also symbolize encouragement, motivation, and emanate pure joy. Which is what Banksy hoped to convey for the people during this conflict.
Black-Eyed Susans are indigenous to many sections of the Eastern and Central North America. They are a flowering plant with bright yellow petals, a dark brown almost black center known as an 'eye,' and rough, hairy stems and leaves. They are part of the sunflower family, which is also native to North America. They are hardy, and very tolerant in a variety of conditions, and can adapt well to new places. They attract butterflies, bees, and other insects for its nectar. The wildflower is often used as a cut flower and in gardens are used for borders or found in containers.
Used by Native Americans, the Black-Eye Susan They were introduced into Europe soon after Columbus's visit to the New World. In 1753 they were given the name Latin name Rudbeckia Hirta by Linnaeus after his mentor Olaf Rudbeck and hirta meaning rough, hairy. By the 1830s, the Black-Eye Susan began to move eastward when it was accidentally mixed with clover and hayseed. Later, it had become naturalized in China.
The Native Americans used Black-Eye Susans to wash sores, swellings for snake bites, and for treating worms and colds in children. It was also used to help when the individual loses their ability to remain conscious inactions of repeated self-negating actions. The essence opens the solar plexus and acts as an emotional and spiritual cleanser to the Soul.
The flower has become Floral Emblem of the State of Maryland in 1918. The inspiration for the school's colors of the University of Southern Mississippi. During the Preakness – the second jewel of the triple crown of horse racing, the winning horse wears a drape made of hundreds of Black-Eye Susans. There are many poems about the wildflower like the 'Legends of Love' by John Gay (1685-1732).
Looking at the Flower Thrower by Banksy, we can help and wonder did he choose this flower for just being beautiful. Or if he took the time to do the research to link it to God, to the statue, to the thought the Black-Eye Susans brings light to the shadows.