Banksy’s artwork not only provides a unique visual, but also a meaning through the images he creates by incorporating contrasting colors, positioning, and clothing of his subject. The interpretation of artwork is as important as the artwork itself. Banksy’s subjects tend to change with each piece of artwork, however his canvases as quite similar. In this painting, Banksy’s subject represents a man trying to hide his identity while throwing away a bouquet of flowers that represent something much more. 

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 these stereotypes. The flowers were a part of his life that gave him color and depth, but if he was being ridiculed for it, he would do everything in his power to get rid of it. 

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. The flowers may represent the one 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. 

The man seems angry, as if his heart was recently broken. 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. If the flowers were replaced by a baseball, the picture’s meaning would be simplified and relate to sports directly. Because the flowers represent something much more delicate, the audience can relate to the man shown in the picture.  
