Bomb Love
aka Bomb Hugger
Year: 2003
Sheet: 70×50 cm (27 1/2 x 19 5/8 inches)
Editions: 150 signed, 600 unsigned
Artist’s Proofs: 44 signed AP
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
“It takes a lot of guts to stand up anonymously in a western democracy
and call for things no one else believes in like peace and justice and freedom.”
This young girl shows no fear; in fact, her face and smile clearly demonstrate she is very comfortable hugging the bomb. Bomb Love highlights our society’s indifference and numbness to warfare, as countless bombs and weapons are manufactured every day and either stored or sold to oppressive regimes – often under the pretense that weapons are necessary to maintain peace in the world. It also highlights the trivialization of warfare, presented as a harmless game without any consequence, just like playing with a toy.
Banksy realized a few originals based on this iconic stencil. It was first shown at Existencilism, Banksy’s first exhibit in Los Angeles in 2002.
Auction Results
1. Bomb Love (unsigned)
Bomb Love (unsigned) sold 8 times at auction in 2023 for a total turnover of GBP 164,876 (USD 203,959) at an average price of GBP 20,609 (USD 25,495).
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 12,800 / USD 16,233
Screenprint in colors
Numbered 403/600 in pencil
Forum Auctions: 30 January 2024
Estimated: GBP 13,000 – 18,000
GBP 12,000 / USD 15,218 (HAMMER)
GBP 16,080 / USD 20,393
BANKSY (b.1974)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil
Christie’s online: 28 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 16,380 / USD 20,017
BANKSY
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 386/600 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)
Forum Auctions: 30 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
HAMMER GBP 13,200
GBP 17,688 / USD 22,503
BANKSY
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 600
Tate Ward Auctions: 7 June 2023
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 18,750 / USD 23,341
BANKSY
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered 141/600 in pencil lower right
Bonhams New-York: 9 May 2023
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 20,400
BANKSY
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered 549/600 DN in pencil, lower right
Christie’s Online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 18,900 / USD 23,247
BANKSY
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003-2004
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered 452/600 in pencil, lower right
Bomb Love (unsigned) sold 10 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 361,487 (USD 456,489) at an average price of GBP 36,149 (USD 45,649). It reached its highest price at SBI Art Auction in Japan on 16 April 2022 when it sold for USD 100,135.
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 35,280 / USD 44,453
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 35,280 / USD 46,570
2. Bomb Love (signed)
Bomb Love (signed) only sold once at auction in 2023. It did not sell at auction in 2022.
Christie’s Online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 63,000 / USD 77,490
BANKSY
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love), 2003-2004
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated 03 in black ink, lower right
Numbered 47/150 in pencil, lower right