Bomb Love
aka Bomb Hugger
Year: 2003
Sheet: 70×50 cm (27 1/2 x 19 5/8 inches)
Editions: 150 signed, 600 unsigned
Artist’s Proofs: 44 signed AP
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
“It takes a lot of guts to stand up anonymously in a western democracy
and call for things no one else believes in like peace and justice and freedom.”
This young girl shows no fear; in fact, her face and smile clearly demonstrate she is very comfortable hugging the bomb. Bomb Love highlights our society’s indifference and numbness to warfare, as countless bombs and weapons are manufactured every day and either stored or sold to oppressive regimes – often under the pretense that weapons are necessary to maintain peace in the world. It also highlights the trivialization of warfare, presented as a harmless game without any consequence, just like playing with a toy.
Banksy realized a few originals based on this iconic stencil. It was first shown at Existencilism, Banksy’s first exhibit in Los Angeles in 2002.
Bomb Love, 2002
Bonhams London: 15 October 2021
Estimated: GBP 450,000 – 650,000
GBP 562,750 / USD 773,874
Bonhams : Banksy (B. 1975) Bomb Love 2002
Spray paint on canvas
25.4 x 20.3 cm (10×8 inches)
Tagged on the turnover edge
Banksy’s works intend to shock, yet they also aim to engender thought-provoking discourse through their simple visual elements. The proximity of someone so vulnerable, yet so close to danger, is undoubtedly compelling, and through Banksy’s clever dichotomy, the artist is sending a message of optimism to the universe, with the aspiration that one day love will overcome war. Bomb Love is charged with a veiled anti-war sentiment and through his rendering, Banksy is tackling international concerns, and critiquing the government and the media for the rose-tinted glasses worn during periods of brutal warfare. The artist’s empathetic and consistent dialogue within a contemporary global crisis is to be admired and there is an attractive irony to Banksy’s compassion. The hybrid street artist and social activist rose to prominence in the 1990s as a graffiti maverick, rejecting any form of government control. Banksy’s close encounters with the police in his early years led him to adopt his signature stencils; spraying onto a ready-made template allowed the artist to execute his works quickly, whilst sheltering behind his concealed identity.
Auction Market Overview
Bomb Love (unsigned)
2026 Auction Results
Christie’s online: 31 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 13,970 / USD 18,640
BANKSY
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love) (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 148/600 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)
Published by Pictures on Walls, London
2025 Auction Results
Wright Chicago: 16 December 2025
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 17,780
BANKSY (b.1975)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors
Numbered to lower right ‘362/600’
Published by Pictures on Walls, London
Forum Auctions: 10 December 2025
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 9,000 (Hammer)
GBP 11,868 / USD 15,868
BANKSY (b.1974)
Bomb Love (Bomb Hugger) (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil
Printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London
Deutscher and Hackett: 26 November 2025
Estimated: AUD 15,000 – 20,000
AUD 29,455 / USD 19,065
BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on paper
Edition: 383/600
Numbered below image lower right
Published by Pictures on Walls, London
Estimated: SEK 150,000 – 200,000
SEK 150,000 (Hammer)
SEK 187,500 / USD 19,980 / GBP 15,135
Screenprint in colors
Signed in the print
Numbered 165/600 in pencil
Forum Auctions: 15 October 2025
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 8,800 (Hammer)
GBP 11,606 / USD 15,550
BANKSY (b.1974)
Bomb Love (Bomb Hugger) (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colours on wove paper
An unsigned impression
(there was also a signed edition of 150)
Tate Ward Auctions: 19 March 2025
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 12,000
GBP 13,750 / USD 17,725
BANKSY (British 1974-)
‘Bomb Hugger’ (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 254/600 in pencil
LA Modern: 18 March 2025
Estimated: USD 10,000 – 15,000
USD 16,510
BANKSY (b.1975)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors
Numbered to lower right ‘362/600’
2024 Auction Results
LA Modern: 10 October 2024
Estimated: USD 12,000 – 18,000
USD 16,380
BANKSY (b.1975)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors
Numbered to lower right ‘535/600’ with blindstamp
Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,600 / USD 20,764
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 433/600
Forum Auctions: 11 June 2024
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 9,500 (Hammer)
GBP 12,730 / USD 16,231
BANKSY (b.1974)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 12,800 / USD 16,233
Screenprint in colors
Numbered 403/600 in pencil
Forum Auctions: 30 January 2024
Estimated: GBP 13,000 – 18,000
GBP 12,000 / USD 15,218 (HAMMER)
GBP 16,080 / USD 20,393
BANKSY (b.1974)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil
2023 Auction Results
Bomb Love (unsigned) sold 8 times at auction in 2023 for a total turnover of GBP 164,876 (USD 203,959) at an average price of GBP 20,609 (USD 25,495). Its highest price of GBP 27,470 (USD 33,788) was achieved at Forum Auctions on 28 February 2023.
Christie’s online: 28 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 16,380 / USD 20,017
BANKSY
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 386/600 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)
Forum Auctions: 30 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
HAMMER GBP 13,200
GBP 17,688 / USD 22,503
BANKSY
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 600
Tate Ward Auctions: 7 June 2023
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 18,750 / USD 23,341
BANKSY
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered 141/600 in pencil lower right
Bonhams New-York: 9 May 2023
Estimated: USD 20,000 – 30,000
USD 20,400
BANKSY
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered 549/600 DN in pencil, lower right
Christie’s Online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 18,900 / USD 23,247
BANKSY
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003-2004
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Numbered 452/600 in pencil, lower right
2022 Auction Results
Bomb Love (unsigned) sold 10 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 361,487 (USD 456,489) at an average price of GBP 36,149 (USD 45,649). It reached its highest price at SBI Art Auction in Japan on 16 April 2022 when it sold for JPY 12,650,000 (USD 100,135).
2022 Auction Results
Christie’s online: 21 September 2022
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 23,940 / USD 28,728
BANKSY
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love) (unsigned), 2003-2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 382/600 in pencil
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 30,240 / USD 36,288
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 27/600
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 35,280 / USD 44,453
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Estimated: JPY 4,000,000 – 7,000,000
JPY 12,650,000 / USD 100,135 / GBP 75,860
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR BOMB LOVE (UNSIGNED)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint
Numbered on the lower right from the edition of 600
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 35,280 / USD 46,570
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
2021 Auction Results
Bomb Love (unsigned) sold 8 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 385,175 (USD 533,586) at an average price of GBP 48,147 (USD 66,698). It reached its highest price at SBI Art Auction in Japan on 16 April 2022 when it sold for JPY 12,650,000 (USD 100,135).
Christie’s online: 23 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 27,500 / USD 38,225
BANKSY
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love) (unsigned), 2003-2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 212/600 in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 60,480 / USD 84,067
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 195/600
Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 50,000 / USD 69,000
BANKSY (B. 1974)
Bomb Love (Bomb Hugger) (unsigned), 2003
screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 427/600 in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 18 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 50,400 / USD 70,056
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Bomb Love (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 364/600
2020 Auction Results
Bomb Love (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2020 for a total turnover of GBP 259,529 (USD 343,750) at an average price of GBP 37,076 (USD 49,107). It sold at Tate Ward Auctions on 9 December 2020 for GBP 56,250 (USD 75,938), its highest price for 2020, and auction record at the time.
Tate Ward Auctions: 9 December 2020
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 56,250 / USD 75,938
BANKSY (b.1974)
Bomb Hugger (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 18 September 2020
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 50,400 / USD 66,528
BANKSY (b.1974)
BOMB LOVE (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 31/600
Sotheby’s online: 26 March 2020
Estimated: GBP 7,000 – 9,000
GBP 27,500 / USD 36,300
BANKSY (b.1974)
BOMB LOVE (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 234/600
Bomb Love (signed)
2025 Auction Results
Christie’s London: 30 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 44,450 / USD 59,740
BANKSY
Bomb Love (Bomb Hugger) (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated 03 in black ink
Numbered 24/150 in pencil
(there was also an unsigned edition of 600)
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 23,040 / USD 31,495
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated ’04’ in black ink
Numbered 90/150 in pencil (there was also an unsigned edition of 600)
2024 Auction Results
Forum Auctions: 4 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 50,000
Hammer: GBP 35,000
GBP 46,900 / USD 60,875
BANKSY (b.1974)
Bomb Love (Bomb Hugger) (signed AP), 2003
Screenprint in pink and black on wove paper
Signed and inscribed ‘AP/39’ in pencil with the publisher’s blinstamp
An artist’s proof aside from the edition of 150
2023 Auction Results
Christie’s Online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 63,000 / USD 77,490
BANKSY
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love), 2003-2004
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated 03 in black ink, lower right
Numbered 47/150 in pencil, lower right
2021 Auction Results
Bomb Love (signed) sold 4 times in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 400,303 (USD 556,884), at an average price of GBP 100,076 (USD 139,221). It reached its highest price at auction when it sold at Forum Auctions on 27 October 2020 for GBP 132,660 (USD 176,438).
Christie’s Online: 23 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 93,750 / USD 130,313
BANKSY
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love), 2003-2004
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated 03 in black ink, lower right
Numbered 31/150 in pencil, lower right
Christie’s Online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 118,750 / USD 163,875
BANKSY (B. 1974)
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love) (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 139/150, with the publisher’s blindstamp
2020 Auction Results
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 132,660 / USD 176,440
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR BOMB LOVE (SIGNED)
Bomb Hugger (Bomb Love), 2003-2004
Screen-print in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated 03 in black ink, lower right
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 150, lower right