About this artwork

One of Banksy's most popular works, Girl With Balloon was painted on a bridge on the Southbank in London. It portrays a young girl looking up at a heart-shaped balloon floating in the sky. It's not clear if she let go of the balloon, or is reaching for it. Next to the image Banksy wrote "There is always hope." The heart stands for innocence, hope and dreams. Banksy might be trying to tell us that modern society makes children grow up too fast. It makes them lose their innocence and doesn't let them pursue their dreams. Despite all of this, we should not lose hope. It could also mean that Banksy sees children as the world's hope for a better future.