Internationally recognised art and literary critic, writer and cultural producer. Published in ELLE, Glamour, Esquire and Cosmopolitan; member of the Union of Writers.
Banksy is a name that has become synonymous with street art, political activism and anonymity. The elusive artist has been creating provocative and subversive graffiti for over three decades, but his true identity remains a mystery. Despite numerous attempts to unmask him, Banksy has managed to keep his face and name hidden from the public eye. But who is Banksy, and why does he choose to remain anonymous?
One of the most popular theories about Banksy’s identity is that he is Robin Gunningham, a former public schoolboy from Bristol, England. This theory was first reported by The Mail on Sunday in 2008, after they tracked down Gunningham’s associates and former classmates, who confirmed that he was involved in the graffiti scene in Bristol in the 1990s. The theory was further supported by a study by researchers at the Queen Mary University of London in 2016, who used geographic profiling to analyze the locations of Banksy’s artworks and found that they matched with Gunningham’s known movements.
However, Banksy himself has never confirmed or denied this theory, and there is no conclusive evidence that Gunningham is indeed Banksy. In fact, in a rare interview with the BBC in 2003, rediscovered in 2023, Banksy apparently confirms his forename as Robbie, not Robin. The interview, which was recorded 20 years ago on Radio 4, is part of a BBC documentary titled The Banksy Story, which explores the origins and evolution of the artist’s career.
Another theory that has been circulating for years is that Banksy is Robert Del Naja, also known as 3D, a member of the trip hop band Massive Attack. Del Naja was a graffiti artist in the 1980s, before forming the band, and is a personal friend of Banksy. Some fans have noticed that Banksy’s artworks often appear in the same cities and dates as Massive Attack’s concerts, suggesting that Del Naja could be behind them. However, Del Naja has denied this theory, saying that he is not Banksy, but that he knows him.
Other names that have been linked to Banksy’s identity include Jamie Hewlett, the comic book artist and designer behind Tank Girl and Gorillaz, Neil Buchanan, the former Art Attack presenter, and even a collective of artists working under one name.
But perhaps the real question is not who is Banksy, but why is Banksy. What motivates him to create his art, and what message does he want to convey? Banksy’s works are often political and social commentary, challenging the status quo and exposing the hypocrisy and injustice of the world. He uses humor, irony and symbolism to express his views and to provoke reactions from the viewers and the authorities. He also questions the concept of art itself, by creating temporary and unauthorized artworks in public spaces, and by subverting the art market and its conventions.
Banksy’s anonymity is part of his artistic strategy, as it allows him to avoid legal consequences, to maintain his artistic freedom and to create a mystique around his persona. By hiding his identity, he also shifts the focus from himself to his art, and invites the viewers to interpret his works in their own way. As he once said, “I don’t want to take sides. I want to take over.”
