Who is hiding behind Banksy? All information about the identity of the street artist

The British street art artist Banksy , whose works dominate million in million and amazed entire cities, remains hidden in the shade of fame even.

But who is really behind the pseudonym Banksy? Who is Banksy?

This question is always enthroned by his works and always pushes itself back to the fore when new works of the mystery-surrounded graffiti artist appear.

The mystery about the identity of Banksy

The art of Banksy is difficult to ignore. His provocative pictures not only adorn walls in London and numerous cities of the world, but also find their place in renowned galleries worldwide.

His work extends from political statements to socially critical messages that are brought to life stencil technology

But despite its cultural importance and the commercial success, Banksy's identity remains a mystery . The secret to the artist is so strong that even experts do not find a clear answer in their research. In doing so, you have collected information in the form of videos, newspaper articles and Mirrors interviews to put light on the dark. However, the question arises as to why it is so difficult to identify Banksy.

One possibility is that the artist consciously wants to maintain his anonymity in order to focus on his art. At a time when the cult of the artist's personality is often in the foreground, Banksy focuses on art itself.

Nevertheless, there are different theories about Banksy's identity. From a renowned street artist from London to a woman or a collective of artists who act behind the name Banksy-speculation is diverse.

The fact situation - what is known about the artist's identity?

It is known that the artist Banksy originated in the English city of Bristol , where he to leave his graffiti in urban areas in the 1990s Over time, however, he developed into an artist with more politically demanding works until he finally became the street artist, whom we know and admire in the present.

A masterpiece from the beginnings of his work is the murals "The Mild Mild West" , which was created in Stokes Croft in Bristol in 1999. The gentle tone of the artwork is conveyed by the image of a teddy bear that throws a Molotow cocktail on three standby police officers.

The artist completed the work in daylight within three days and it can still be admired in the city, together with other works of art by his pen.

In an (anonymous) interview with the Zeitschrift Swindle from 2006, Banksy once said:

I come from a relatively small town in southern England. When I was about ten years old, a boy named 3D painted the streets full. I think he was in New York and was the first to bring the spray color to Bristol. I grew up on the street with spray paint, long before I saw her in a magazine or on a computer. ”

3D stopped painting and founded the band Massive Attack, which might be good for him, but a big loss for the city. Graffiti was what we all loved at school. We did it on the bus on our way home from school. Everyone did it. "

It is definitely only real what Banksy has authenticated website , in his books and on his Instagram channel @Banksy

What theories are there on the identity of Banksy?

There are many theories about Banksy's identity. On social media, the most crazy ideas and assumptions are carried out by the virtual ether.

Let's focus on the most popular, stubborn and most likely of it.

White, under 50 years old, redhead

Ulrich Blanché , a renowned art historian, is considered an expert in Banksy. In June 2022, a conversation with him NDR , in which he discussed the mystery about the artist.

Blanché has already written several books on Banksy and concluded from numerous interviews from the 80s and 90s that it is most likely a white man under the age of 50.

It is believed that this man could be red-haired and worked as a foam and festival truck painter in the 90s before he disappeared into anonymity. It is possible that he also had a rabbit chart and had his face operated on, but this information is not confirmed and could also be wrong.

Robin Gunningham

The most widespread assumption is that the creator of the Banksy work of art is none other than Robin Gunningham . Gunningham was born in 1973 in Yate, a city near Bristol, and many of his former classmates firmly believe that he is the real banksy.

According to his former school friends, Gunningham has always been a talented draftsman who often made cartoons.

Banksy himself has confirmed that his love for drawing was created in his school days. A photo of Gunningham, which was taken in Jamaica and shows him with a spray can and stencil, continued to work out the speculation and caused many people to believe that Robin Gunningham is actually Banksy.

There is a strong rumor that in 2018 an original work by Robin Gunningham was auctioned, which is the only work he signed with his name. The price of £ 4,000 seems fair for an otherwise unknown artist. The work is an illustrated plate cover for the album "Oh My God It's Cheeky Clown" by the ska band "Mother Samosa" from Bristol and shows similarities with Banksy's earlier graffiti style .

In 2016, criminologists from Queen Mary University to establish a connection between Gunningham and Banksy works in London and Bristol with the help of geographical profiles ( Geographic Profiling)

The "Geographic Profiling" is often used to solve series crimes. Here, crime scenes and other factors are stored in a database in order to determine the possible place of residence of the perpetrator.

Research scientists from the London University used this method to use Banksy's works of art as a data basis. 140 works of art in London and Bristol were taken as the starting point. The results of the investigation showed a high probability that Banksy is actually Robin Gunningham from Bristol.

Gunningham already suspected in 2008 as Banksy

Already in 2008 the tabloid "Mail on Sunday" that Robin Gunningham is the man behind the name Banksy. Now profiling software has identified addresses and places that are connected to Gunningham and can also be linked to Banksy.

At that time, the "Mail" carried out a one-year research project and spoke to dozens of people, including friends, former colleagues, enemies, roommates and nearby relatives of Banksy. The starting point of the examinations was a photo that Banksy should show at work on the Caribbean island of Jamaica.

It shows a man with dark curls who kneels and has a spray can and a template in front of him while wearing a dark blue shirt.

Peter Dean Rickards , who came up with the moment, confirmed that it was Banksy after he had the pictures leaked to the press - however, this was never officially proven.

He is said to have overturned with the artist. "Banksy hiked through Jamaica as if the country belonged to him ," he told the Evening Standard .

The Sun the man who claimed to know Banksy confirmed that the picture showed Mr. Gunningham.

However, Banksy claimed not to be the man in the photo, and Gunningham's environment was not very cooperative. Even his alleged parents are said to have denied him. In view of Banksy's long -term success in blurring his traces, it is possible that the trace that followed the "mail" was a diversion maneuver, according to the authors of the article from 2008.

However, the investigation was postponed after Banksy's lawyers contacted the university and expressed concerns how the study entitled "Tagging Banksy" could be used in the press.

Neither Gunningham nor Banksy or his representatives have ever publicly commented on this theory to confirm or deny them.

Early information from the years around the turn of the millennium

According to the descriptions of The Sun Luke Egan in Easton, Bristol in 1998 At that time, Banksy created the famous mild mild west sign, which shows a stuffed bear with a Molotow cocktail.

The work of art was placed on a wall opposite Subway Records in Stokes Croft, Easton. While Banksy's art moved to London in 2000, Gunningham resided in an apartment in Kingsland Road in Hackney.

Egan's former roommate, an artist colleague, exhibited together with Banksy in Santa's Ghetto, an art shop that was opened in the West End of London in Christmas 2001. In the same year, Banksy organized his first unofficial exhibition in a tunnel in Rivington, SHOREDITCH, where he sprayed twelve works on the white whipped walls.

Egan continued to claim that Mr. Gunningham was not Banksy. He expressed:

I lived together with a man named Robin Gunningham. But at the time he was not [Banksy]. I lived with him a long time ago. I don't think Banksy was nearby at that time anyway. "

Nevertheless, Banksy made a name in a warehouse just a few meters from Gunningham's apartment.

Robert del Naja

Others have Robert del Naja from Massive Attack as Banksy. graffiti artist himself and has worked in Bristol under the name 3D , which Banksy mentioned as one of his early sources of inspiration.

The theory was created after DJ Goldie allegedly mentioned the name of Banksy in a podcast when he spoke about this street artist (the editorial team reported men's work)

He said:

With all the respect for Rob, I think he is a brilliant artist. I think he turned the world of art upside down ”.

The DEL NAJA theory was further supported by a supposed detection of a connection between two incidents in which fresh Banksy works of art occurred in a city in which Massive Attack gave a concert. Nevertheless, del Naja rejected these assumptions in contrast to Gunningham.

Jamie Hewlett

In recent years, other speculations have also been loud that the founder of the Gorillaz , Jamie Hewlett , is possibly the creator of the artistic work.

An anonymous forensic said that documents showed that Hewlett has connections to every company in connection with Banksy. Another indication of this assumption is Hewlet's earlier work for the band's music videos.

Despite these facts, Bany's spokesman has clearly and clearly denied these claims.

Banksy has always been seen over the past few years. Most recently, he was spotted when he was established by his latest work of art in the London underground railway. A passer -by also claimed in 2018 to have discovered him near a recently completed work in Hull.

Despite these encounters, the artist's face always remained hidden and his way of working also remains a mystery. Whether Banksy works alone or uses a team is unclear and leaves room for speculation.

BBC podcast published by Banksy in interview excerpt

A newly published BBC podcast is said to provide deeper insights into the truth about a famous artist. The telephone interview from 2005 may reveal the identity of the artist and ends his voice. So the puzzle around the artist is finally solved a bit. The podcast gives hope that the truth about the artist will soon come to light.

We assume that you are the one you pretend, but how can we be safe? ”,

Asks the moderator.

The person who claims to be Banksy answers:

Oh, you have no guarantee at all. "

The conversation with the man, who calls himself a "painter and decorator" and mentions motivation for his guerrilla art

You don't want to get stuck in the same industry all your life, right? "

The artist's employees also comment on the podcast. However, they do not reveal details of identity.

Explosive: Current legal dispute in front of the High Court could reveal the true identity of Banksy

The street artist is currently the focus of a legal conflict that could potentially reveal his identity.

Andrew Gallagher, a size of the rave and graffiti scene, has sued Banksy. Pest Control LTD , which manages the sale of Banksy's works of art, is also involved Although the case is extremely confidential, the court hearing could lead to the secret about Banksy's true identity.

The Guardian, the legal dispute over a work of art of the late Queen Elizabeth II could actually cause Banksy to be forced to reveal its true name.

What happened?

Two art collectors have sued Pest Control because of the broken contract because it refuses to confirm the authenticity of the Monkey Queen . After Nicky Katz and Ray Howsse tried to get an answer for three years, they have lost the patience and have now sued Pest Control for breaking the contract.

They refer to the Pest Control website, on which authenticity certificates are usually issued. Banksy, known for his stencil -based works, likes to refer to himself as "quality vandals" .

One of his most famous works, "Love is in the bin" , was auctioned for over £ 18.5 million. The role of Pest Control on the market for Banksy's works of art is crucial, and an official certificate of authenticity plays a central role in selling its works at top prices.

The role of lobbyist Joy Millward

The well-known parliamentary lobbyist Joy Millward from Great Britain is presumably considered the wife of the street artist Banksy . She made the headlines when her husband Robin Gunningham was charged with the Supreme Court. Despite the prominence of her partner, Millward manages to keep a former Labor Party employee away from the public.

Joy Millward has never spoken about the widespread speculation.

Who is Joy Millward?

The lobbyist from the West Midlands is said to have met Gunningham in 2003 shortly before she started working as a researcher for Labor politician Austin Mitchell. They married in Las Vegas in 2006 and have been married for 17 years.

According to insider information, they live in a remote community and hardly maintain contact with their neighbors.

An informant told The Sun :

Even those with whom they talk to from time to time don't really know who they are. […] Even some family members of Joy was not revealed who her husband is or what he is doing. ”

Identity remains a mystery

Although some experts believe that they have found indications of true identity, it remains a mystery. The search for the face behind the myth continues, while Banksy's pictures keep initiating new discussions.

One thing is clear: the art world will continue to be fascinated by this artist, this artist or this collective called Banksy. The remarkable works full of social criticism will continue to stimulate us to think, while the creating force behind it remains in the dark at the same time.

It remains exciting whether we ever see the artist's true identity unveiled.