The identity of the mysterious and renowned street artist Banksy may have been unveiled following an in-depth investigation by news agency Reuters.
Despite being one of the most popular and enigmatic artists, Banksy’s identity has been a closely guarded secret for decades. The anonymous artist is best known for the simple yet sophisticated stencil paintings which have generated tens of millions in sales over the years.
Some critics have said that Banksy’s anonymity is as important to his work as his stencils and paint. But Reuters have now claimed that they know who he is – a claim Banksy neither confirmed nor denied.
After a painstaking investigation, the news agency have said Banksy is man called Robin Gunningham who has changed his name to David Jones, reports the Mirror.
As part of their investigations to unmask the artist, Reuters examined previously divulged information about Banksy’s identity, interviewed a dozen Banksy-world insiders and experts and unearthed previously undisclosed U.S. court records and police reports.
An investigation has reportedly uncovered Banksy’s identity -Credit:PA
Banksy‘s long-time lawyer Mark Stephens wrote tor Reuters after they put the findings of their investigations to the artist. Mr Stephens said that Banksy “does not accept that many of the details contained within your enquiry are correct,” but did not elaborate on what was incorrect.
Without confirming or denying Banksy’s identity, Mr Stephens urged them not to publish their findings, claiming that it would violate the artist’s privacy, interfere with his art and put him in danger.
Entitled In Search of Banksy, the investigation pulled together information from a trip to Ukraine where Banksy met with locals. A fallout with Peter Dean Rickards, a Jamaican photographer who allegedly posted images of Banksy’s face, was also uncovered.
New York arrest documents from 2000 were examined including an apparent handwritten and signed confession.
Reuters investigations also claimed to rule out Robert Del Naja, the frontman of Massive Attack, as Banksy identity. Del Naja has long been rumoured to have been the artist.
-Credit:Guy Bell/REX/Shutterstock
A 2008 report by the Mail on Sunday also claimed that Gunningham is the true identity of Banksy. Reuters have alleged that he changed his name to David Jones several years ago.
Mr Stephens, said in a reply to the agency that his client “does not accept that many of the details contained within [the] enquiry are correct.” He said the findings “would violate the artist’s privacy, interfere with his art and put him in danger.”
He added: “It protects freedom of expression by allowing creators to speak truth to power without fear of retaliation, censorship or persecution.”
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