Banksy’s identity has been a well-kept secret since he rose to prominence in the 1990s. The graffiti artist is famous for spraying murals with anti-authoritarian and anti-war messages on the side of buildings around the world. But his steadfast anonymity has led to speculation that he could be anyone, including celebrities like Massive Attack’s Robert Del Naja or Gorillaz founder Jamie Hewlett. Even Art Attack host Neil Buchanan and former ‘public schoolboy’ Robin Gunningham have been accused of being the real Banksy. Earlier this week, an old picture of Banksy at work before he rose to fame resurfaced, once again sparking interest in his true identity – and potentially providing vital clues. Interest in who hides behind the name has been reignited by a confirmed Banksy painting, which appeared on the side of a London apartment building on Hornsey Road in Finsbury Park earlier this year.
Banksy emerged as a street artist in Bristol in the early 1990s. He’s thought to have been born in the Gloucestershire town of Yate in the 1970s, starting his artistic journey in the nearby city with a politically engaged music scene. As part of Bristol’s DryBreadZ Crew, he was influenced by other figures in the Underground Scene like 3D, also known as Robert Del Naja, a member of Massive Attack. By the 2000s when he appeared to move to London, Banksy had swapped freehand designs for stencilled ones, allowing him to produce pieces more quickly. Already the most famous street artist in the UK, he started turning graffiti into high art favoured by the wealthy, with exhibitions in Britain and abroad. He has popped up with new pieces stealthily created in public places around the world ever since, including the barriers of the West Bank. Many of his murals call for peace and poke fun at authority and inequality, featuring characters like rats, police and children.
Banksy confirmed he’d left a new artwork in London after a massive mural popped up overnight on the side of a building near Finsbury Park. After waking to find green paint daubed on a wall behind a leafless tree, local resident James Roebuck lamented on X: ‘Banksy came overnight and now my rent will skyrocket.’
New Banksy Mural in North London Sparks Environmental Message
A stunning new mural in north London has been confirmed as the latest work by the elusive artist Banksy. The artwork features a large green splatter of paint, resembling foliage, behind a leafless tree. Underneath, there is a portrait of a girl holding a pressure sprayer, with her gaze directed upwards. According to James Peak, creator of the BBC Radio 4 series “The Banksy Story,” the mural is a powerful commentary on nature and the environment. Peak believes that the message is clear: nature is struggling, and it is our responsibility to help it thrive once again. Banksy shared photos of the mural on his Instagram account, marking his first update since December.
How Does Banksy Make Money?
Despite Banksy’s public disdain for commercial success, the artist has amassed a net worth of over £15 million, according to MailOnline. So, how does he make his money? Contrary to popular belief, Banksy does not profit from the sale of his most famous artworks found on outside walls. When these pieces go up for auction, it is usually landlords and art dealers who reap the profits. Instead, Banksy generates income by selling prints of his iconic pieces. These prints range in price from £400 to £800 for unsigned and unnumbered editions, to limited runs priced between £40,000 and £130,000. Celebrities such as Christine Aguilera, Kate Moss, and Bono have all purchased Banksy pieces over the years. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt even spent £1 million on a collection of Banksy artworks in 2007.
Exhibitions and Private Sales
In addition to print sales, Banksy’s exhibitions and private sales also contribute significantly to his income. One notable example is the Banksy v Bristol Museum show in 2009, which drew huge crowds to his hometown. Another noteworthy exhibition was Dismaland in 2015, where Banksy transformed a derelict seafront lido in Weston-super-Mare into a dystopian theme park. Private sales have also played a role in Banksy’s financial success. In one instance, an entire section of wall was removed from a building in Lowestoft, Suffolk, so that owners Gary and Nadine Schwartz could privately sell another Banksy artwork. The sale sparked outrage among residents of the seaside town who had flocked to view the mural, known as “Crowbar Girl.”
Banksy’s Art and Environmental Activism
Banksy’s art often intertwines with environmental activism, as seen in his latest mural in north London. Through his thought-provoking pieces, he raises awareness about the urgent need to protect and restore nature. With his refusal to conform to the traditional art market and his commitment to making a difference, Banksy continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
MASSIVE ATTACK STAR ROBERT DEL NAJA DENIES BEING BANKSY
The search for the true identity of the elusive street artist Banksy continues, with accusations and theories being thrown around left and right. One theory suggests that Banksy is not a man, but a woman who leads a collective, according to Canadian artist Chris Healey in the HBO documentary ‘Banksy Does New York’. However, most of the individuals put forward as the ‘true Banksy’ are men, some of whom have been wrongly arrested as a result.
One of the suspects is Robert Del Naja, also known as 3D, from the band Massive Attack. Del Naja has faced suspicion for years, especially after revealing himself as a personal friend of Banksy. Another person who has come under scrutiny is Neil Buchanan, the host of the popular CITV show Art Attack. Social media users have noticed a pattern of Banksy artworks appearing in locations where Buchanan has performed his music. However, Buchanan has denied these claims, stating that he spent the lockdown with vulnerable members of his family.
Gorillaz founder Jamie Hewlett has also been suspected of being Banksy after a ‘forensic expert’ found a link between a ‘J Hewlett’ and every company associated with Banksy. Paul Horner from Liverpool was falsely accused of being Banksy by an American website, but it turned out to be a hoax. Richard Pfeiffer from Brooklyn was even arrested by police who believed he had drawn a Banksy image, but he was able to prove his innocence.
There have been various other claims and rumors surrounding Banksy’s true identity. A British teenager claimed that a man named ‘Robin Banks’ gave him a print signed by Banksy, but this has not been verified. While Robert Del Naja has denied being Banksy, it is worth noting that the artist may share his first name. In a lost BBC interview from 2003, Banksy referred to himself as ‘Robbie’. The Mail on Sunday has identified Robin Gunningham, a former public schoolboy, as one of the more likely contenders. The paper conducted a year-long investigation, including interviews with Gunningham’s former schoolmates, friends, enemies, and family. The study of Banksy’s art locations also seemed to support this theory.
As the mystery surrounding Banksy’s identity continues, Gunningham may find himself exposed as the elusive artist due to a defamation case launched by Andrew Gallagher, in which Gunningham and Pest Control were named. Only time will tell if the true identity of Banksy will ever be revealed.
