Banksy has made his name worldwide, with his graffiti art entering into the public consciousness thanks to a mix of mystery and subversion, making the artist a desirable commodity with both media and public. So who is Banksy? Much speculation has been made on his identity, but has the real truth behind this iconic artist ever come to light?
The Case for Robin Gunningham
Recent articles in 'The Times' and 'The Daily Mail' have strongly suggested that Gunningham, a 34 year old tradesman from Bristol may be the artists Banksy. This individual was sighted and photographed painting in Bethnal Green in 2008, and also at a culture festival in Jamaica in 2004. Through his agent Banksy has been ambiguous on the claim he's Gunningham, neither confirming nor denying the rumour.
The Mail on Banksy's Identity
In an article in 2008, the British newspaper 'The Mail on Sunday' claimed that it had proof uncovering the identity of Banksy. The paper had shown a photo of Banksy taken at an arts festival in Jamaica to several people linked to Robin Gunningham, including people who had gone to school with him, his parents, friends and co-workers.
Most crucially, a man who worked and shared a flat with Gunningham claimed to recognise his former flatmate in the photo, as did an anti-graffiti officer from Bristol who had long been tracking Banksy. His parents claim not to recognise the photo, although, those who claim to recognise Gunningham in the photo are listed by the paper as 'former friends', indicating that they are people with no reason to protect Banksy's identity.
Do We Smell a Rat?
One recent 'public' artwork has generated renewed interest in Banksy's identity. A painting of Banksy’s iconic Rat holding a sign with a painted picture of Robin Gunningham on it has surfaced in London. This image serves only to raise further questions on Banksy's identity. Is Banksy attempting to draw attention to Gunningham to draw attention away from his own identity? Or is he trying to put the obvious answer, that he is Gunningham, in front of the public, in the knowledge that people will believe it's an attempted distraction from his true identity?
Of course because the nature of Banksy's art is stencil, which is easy to replicate, this image could be by a copycat artist trying to stir up controversy. Whatever the answer, this new piece of information only serves to confuse rather than clarify, which would likely be to the artists satisfaction.
A Meeting With Mr Banksy Himself
While Banksy's actual identity remains uncertain, some people have had face to face meetings with him. Simon Hatterstone from the British newspaper 'Guardian Unlimited' has interviewed Banksy face-to-face, a rare occurrence as the artist often does interviews by anonymous online means. Banksy has also appeared, famously, at an art festival in Jamaica and has met with fellow graffiti artists in Australia.
These meetings serve to suggest that Banksy is not, as some have pondered, a group of people working under a single falsified identity. Banksy has been quoted as saying that the mystery surrounding him is much more alluring than the disappointment people would probably feel if they actually met him in person.
Is Banksy Actually Several People?
There is some evidence to suggest that the Banksy 'brand' is being maintained by multiple people. Visitors to his recent exhibition at the Bristol Art Gallery and Museum would've noted the sheer scale and variety of the works presented, with complex sculpture and animated models used. Such complexity suggests that, even if Banksy is one single individual, he probably has a great deal of assistance from fellow artists and friends. Banksy has also been sighted, as previously mentioned, in Bethnal Green in London, working with an assistant.
Banksy's work has appeared in many places in the world, including a Zoo in Spain and on a border-wall in Palestine and therefore, due to the quick-application stencil design nature of his work, it would be quite easy for copycats or assistants to carry out similar artwork. Thus, Banksy's art has truly started to precede the artist's identity.
Banksy: Art Beyond the Artist
The actual identity of Banksy still remains a mystery. In certain circles, possibly in the media and amongst fellow alternative/graffiti artists, the identity of Banksy is well known and has been for some time. Banksy's anonymity is somewhat crucial to the success of his art and his image; by their very nature, the subversive methods of his public art displays, going under the nose of authority yet in full public view, are what make Banksy appealing to his audience.
Art is the form of communication, not the artist, and for that reason Banksy succeeds in communicating to an audience in ways a thousand other artists could only dream.
