There is Always Hope

Though very different from other pieces, this image is an extremely well known graffiti design, appearing in public places all over the world. It is almost always the same, a small girl with blowing hair reaching for a balloon that is just out of her reach. Sometimes, but not always, the phrase "there is always hope" is scrawled some place nearby.
At initial glance, this image looks too innocent and too child like to be emblazoned on harsh and weathered concrete urban streets. The artist who created this image was likely part of some version of a counter culture, finding joy and fulfillment in defacing public property and breaking the law. When one stops to consider the message of the image however, you can tell that it alludes to a hard and troubling child hood, tempered only by the far out prospect of something better.
The image is meant to affect the casual onlooker, or the subjects. More that likely, this was place in a location where a diverse demographics could view it. It signifies encouragement and hope that any issue can have a solution, regardless of how dire the situation seems or what your prior circumstance was. The red balloon likely signifies that the initial problem was in the artist's love life. The lack of color elsewhere in the picture signifies the gloomy current state or sad feelings.
Overall, it is meant to be an uplifting picture, with simple beauty and naive sincerity. It is one of my favorite images of all time!