This work deals with the worldwide fear of the atomic bomb during the Cold War and its effects on a whole generation of children raised during this era. It calls to mind lyrics from The Smiths’ classic: “Because if it’s not love, it’s the bomb, the bomb, the bomb that will bring us together.”

Sprayed at Hamburg, Germany, Bomb Hugger is a classic Banksy stencil that represents both innocence and horror.

While a girl hugs a bomb similar to the ones dropped from military aircraft, with a simple image Banksy makes us question about the dichotomy between love and war. And, with irony,makes us wonder how we perceive war and how it is attached in our culture. This challenges us to think aboutour own views and what legacy are we leaving behind.

Bomb Hugger, originally known as Bomb Love, was first released in 2003 as an edition of 750 prints, with 600 unsigned and 150 signed. From 2007 to 2012,originals have sold at auction for prices ranging from £32,000 to £48,000.