During the early 2000s, Banksy’s reputation was gaining traction. He began to create and release limited edition prints for sale, including the controversial ‘Rude Copper’ that was initially produced on paper. 

By 2002, Banksy decided that he would launch his own print shop in East London. The store Pictures on Walls emerged as an outlet to produce and sell his works, as well as distribute and sell works from other emerging and established street artists. 

It was just before this point that Banksy also considered releasing his first non-paper print and created something that was less conventional as a limited edition release. 

He played with the idea of various formats and images, but in this case chose a selection of his personal favourite images juxtaposed against a brick wall backdrop – resulting in a montage prototype lenticular print that he considered for a commercial release – however, this never came to pass. 

This unique prototype print incorporates all the typical iconography from the artist at the time including rats, a monkey and his own tag. However, his ‘Love is in the Air’ aka Palestinian ‘Flower Thrower’ is forefront in the piece and is a powerful image now recognised worldwide.