The true id of the notorious and elusive road artist Banksy has been revealed after decades-old arrest data have been unearthed.
Investigators found a handwritten confession signed throughout a 2000 arrest in New York, when the artist was detained for vandalising a Marc Jacobs billboard throughout Trend Week.
Police data and courtroom paperwork from the incident listing the title Robin Gunningham, who investigators now consider is the person behind Banksy.
Mr Gunningham, a 51-year-old from Bristol, was first linked to the artist in 2008 – an accusation his administration denied on the time.
Following the current disclosures, Banksy’s firm, Pest Management, acknowledged the artist “has determined to say nothing”.
The arrest occurred when the road artist focused the billboard atop a brownstone constructing on Hudson Road in Manhattan bearing the slogan “Boys Love Marc Jacobs”.
Steve Lazarides, the photographer who previously managed Banksy, recounted that the artist altered the billboard by including “goofy enamel” to the mannequin and drawing a speech bubble.
He was apprehended by the police earlier than finishing the work.
Banksy’s true id has been revealed as Robin Gunningham, a 51-year-old from Bristol
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In his written confession, Banksy described the act as “a humorous adjustment” made after an evening consuming at a membership with buddies.
He posted bail of $1,500, with felony costs diminished to a misdemeanour, finally paying a $310 nice and finishing 5 days of neighborhood service.
The investigation additional alleges that Mr Gunningham legally modified his title to David Jones in 2008, choosing one in every of Britain’s commonest names to stay inconspicuous on official paperwork.
This adopted id reportedly enabled him to journey internationally with out detection, together with to Ukraine, the place Banksy created murals throughout the battle.
Following the current disclosures, Banksy’s firm, Pest Management, acknowledged the artist ‘has determined to say nothing’
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Researchers declare the artist entered Ukraine alongside Robert Del Naja, the Large Assault frontman lengthy rumoured to be Banksy, given his personal graffiti background and activism.
Each males apparently departed Ukraine on the identical day in October 2022.
Banksy’s lawyer Mark Stephens disputed the investigation’s findings, telling Reuters that his consumer “doesn’t settle for that lots of the particulars contained inside your enquiry are right”.
The authorized consultant cautioned that publishing the report may jeopardise the artist’s security, noting Banksy had been “subjected to fixated, threatening and extremist behaviour”.
The artist is world-renowned for his politically pointed graffiti works
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Mr Stephens argued that working below a pseudonym “serves very important societal pursuits”.
He mentioned it allows creators to problem authority “with out concern of retaliation, censorship or persecution – significantly when addressing delicate points equivalent to politics, faith or social justice”.
The lawyer neither confirmed nor denied his consumer’s id.
