About Flag

In Flag, children and young adults stand atop a burnt-out car, holding the American flag. Depicted as disenfranchised urban youths, these central figures evoke a poignant sense of melancholy. Some may interpret them as symbols of hope and ambition, resiliently pursuing the American Dream despite adversity, violence, and injustice. Others might view Banksy's image of youth in Flag as linked to the critique of America’s spending on militarization and involvement in foreign conflicts.

Broader context

A recurring motif in Banksy’s art, children symbolise both the future and the profound sociopolitical issues under scrutiny. The artwork draws inspiration from Joe Rosenthal's iconic World War II photograph, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima, depicting U.S. Marines as they raise American flags on Mount Suribachi during the Battle of Iwo Jima. By replacing the U.S. Marines with images of disenfranchised youth, Banksy prompts the viewer to critically examine the underpinnings of the American Dream.

What’s unique about Flag

This exclusive limited edition screen print is offered in two colours: silver and gold. The silver variant was met with a particular market demand as it constitutes a limited edition of 1000 prints, unveiled during Banksy's iconic Santa’s Ghetto exhibition on Oxford Street in London in 2006.