Banksy, the renowned street artist and political activist, has maintained a veil of secrecy by working under a pseudonym, never revealing his true identity. However, recent claims suggest that the artist has been unmasked. Or has he? Theories surrounding Banksy’s identity have persistently circulated since the start of his career, yet none have been definitively confirmed.

*Banksy, Laugh Now But One Day We'll Be In Charge (2002)Via Christie’s*

Earning widespread recognition in the early 2000s for his anti-war and anti-establishment graffiti, the artist has emerged as a prominent political figure. The deliberate omission of his name during this period added a layer of intrigue, captivating public interest. In reality, the significant role played by anonymity has been instrumental in his fame. Throughout his career, various names and identities have circulated, fueling speculation about the true identity of the artist. Notable mentions include Jamie Hewlett, co-creator of the band Gorillaz, and Robert Del Naja, a member of Massive Attack. Both musicians, hailing from Bristol like Banksy, have contributed to the art world, either through published works or by dabbling in graffiti. In late November 2023, renewed curiosity about Banksy’s identity arose following the rediscovery of a forgotten 2003 BBC interview with the artist.

The lost interview, conducted between the emerging street artist and former BBC arts correspondent Nigel Wrench, took place before the opening of Banksy’s Turf War exhibition in East London. This conversation provides a rare and unusual opportunity to hear Banksy's voice, offering insights into the artist’s persona. It is speculated that, at the time of the interview, Banksy would have been in his 20s. During the interview, Wrench asked about the artist’s name, suggesting “Robert Banks,” a name already used by The Independent. However, Banksy responded with a simple “It’s Robbie.” This interview sparked new theories, with speculations revolving around various identities incorporating the names Robert, Robin, and Robbie. It is essential to note that these interpretations are suggestive rather than factual, adding an additional layer of intrigue to Banksy’s mysterious persona.

Since 2008, the name Robin Gunningham has been a prominent theory in the ongoing quest to reveal Banksy’s identity. The Daily Mail first ‘confirmed’ this theory in 2004, using a photo of a man spray-painting graffiti with a stencil in Jamaica to assert Gunningham’s connection to the famous artist. All we know is that Gunningham was a former Bristol schoolboy with a talent for the arts. In 2016, a study emerged tracing Gunningham’s movements and aligning them with Banksy’s known works. Additionally, Gunningham allegedly adopted the aliases Robin Banks and, eventually, Banksy. Despite these intriguing correlations, it is important to treat these details as speculative, underscoring the elusive nature of Banksy’s identity and the persistent mystery surrounding it. Additional theories involve Robert Del Naja, known for his graffiti artistry before forming Massive Attack. Neil Buchanan, the presenter of the show Art Attack, and Billy Gannon, a former Pembroke Dock councillor, were also subjects of speculation, although both have denied any connection to Banksy. Complicating matters further, there are suggestions that Banksy may not be a singular individual but rather a team of multiple people. Online platforms continue to generate new theories, fueling public intrigue and speculation. Despite the plethora of conjectures, as of now, none have been conclusively confirmed.

An intriguing insight from the interview was Banksy’s perspective on his perceived image in relation to graffiti art. He explained his decision not to attend the opening of his own show, stating: “You know, if you’re working in graffiti art, you’re not really in a position where you can stand next to your work and smile and shake people by the hand, you know. And plus, I think it’s more interesting for other people to try and... If you never show up and people don’t know who you are, then you’re a character, aren't you really. And you can mean different things to different people.” The full interview can be heard on The Banksy Story bonus episode - the Lost Banksy Interview - hosted on BBC Radio 4. The episode features not only the interview itself but also Nigel Wrench’s recollection of the encounter. Wrench and James Peak, the show’s host, refrain from making assumptions about Banksy’s identity. Instead, they focus on validating the name mentioned in the interview while deliberately leaving the overarching question of Banksy’s true identity unanswered. Throughout the remainder of the episode, Peak attempts to confirm or deny the artist’s actual name. However, he keeps being turned down, as no one involved is willing to disclose Banksy’s real identity. Although the identity remains undisclosed, the episode serves as a catalyst for renewed theories and heightened interest in solving the mystery surrounding the elusive artist.

Unmasking Banksy

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