Banksy’s artwork not only provides a unique visual, but also a meaning. The interpretation of artwork is as important as the artwork itself. Another important contribution to the artwork is the color and shading used. Banksy’s canvas, however is almost always the same, a monotone wall. 

Masculinity and emotion have always seemed to be a controversial topic. Whether or not men should show emotions and if they do, what it says of their strength. This painting by Banksy shows the tough decision for men whether or not they should hold on to their emotions, or throw them away. 

The picture is a man that looks to be about to throw a bouquet of flowers. The man is somewhat hidden, by the bandana he is wearing and by the hat. He is also wearing a dark long sleeve top and pants. The covering of him shows that he may be ashamed of himself or trying to hide himself in a sort of disguise. The man may not want others to know who he is or what he is doing. The bouquet of flowers has romantic characteristics. He is positioned in a way that look like he is going to throw the bouquet. This aggressive pose is contrasted by the femininity and beauty of the flowers. 

This picture may be depicted to the male audience. There is a male in the picture but while everything about him is very masculine and strong, the flowers make is seem less that way. The male stereotype is that men have to be strong, protectors, and lack many feelings. This picture shows that the man is throwing away all things that flowers represent. The flowers are symbols of delicacy. The man doesn’t want to be seen this way and this is a way for him to get rid of them. The flowers were a part of his life that gave him color and depth, but he was maybe being ridiculed for acting a certain way so in order to fit in with the stereotypes, he must get rid of them. 

Because the man doesn’t want the flowers in his life anymore, he is throwing them far away. The flowers are the only things in the picture that have color. The man is black and white, as well as the background. The flowers brought color and life to the man’s life. They are colored also to bring attention to them in the picture. Colors grab the audience’s eye and bring focus to that specific spot. Since the flowers represent something more than what they actually are, the colors help bring awareness of that to the audience. 

The picture appeals to the emotions of the audience by making the viewer think of what the man is doing. Different members of the audience may interpret the reason differently. It could bring pride to some people of the audience, knowing that the man has enough strength to throw away his emotions, or it might bring sadness to others based on the same reasoning. 

The man is also pointing in the painting. His index finger is extended which is helping him aim where to throw the bouquet. Since flowers are also a symbol of romance, the flowers may be for someone else such as a significant person in the man’s life. Because he is throwing the bouquet, the person may just have left his life and in order to get rid of the feelings he has for that person, he must discard of the flowers. Buying flowers for your significant other is a representation of the feelings you have for them, and if that person just broke the man’s heart, he has the urge to get rid of those feelings as quickly as he can. Because of the clothing the man is wearing, it makes it seem as if this is the only thing holding him back. He may want to live a life without this person, and the flowers remind him of the person who hurt him. He has a bandana around his mouth, which many criminals do in order to protect their identity. 

The man seems angry, as if his heart was recently broken. I think this brings emotions to the audience because many people have experienced heartbreak and can relate to the man. If the flowers were not in the man’s hands and it was another object, the painting would have a much different effect. If it was something dangerous in the man’s hands, the audience would not have as much compassion for him. Because the flowers represent something much more delicate, the audience can relate and feel more for. 