Unveiling Banksy's True Identity: Does a Resurfaced Interview Reveal the Artist's Real Name?
Discover the enigmatic world of Banksy, the iconic street artist, as a resurfaced interview hints at the possibility of his real name being unveiled Explore the intriguing intersection of politics, vandalism, and anarchy that lies at the heart of his captivating artistic mythology
The mysterious street artist Banksy, who is often associated with anonymity, may have unexpectedly disclosed his identity in a recently resurfaced interview. Originally recorded in 2003, the interview was made available as a special episode of the BBC podcast series "The Banksy Story," which was released on Tuesday.
During an interview with former BBC arts correspondent Nigel Wrench, Banksy was asked if his name was "Robert Banks," as reported by The Independent newspaper. In response, the artist stated, "It's Robbie." After listening to a 10-episode series documenting Banksy's career growth, podcast host James Peak, a devoted fan of Banksy's work, shared the archived interview. This came after the series featured an unverified recording of Banksy's voice from a 2005 interview with US National Public Radio (NPR) that had been recovered.
However, things may not be as they appear, which is typical of Banksy - an artist renowned for his satirical wit, undermining techniques, and rebellious motifs.
"A name emerges," Peak disclosed to CNN on Tuesday. "Is it the correct name? Is it a smart jest?" Peak wondered, hinting that a name such as Robbie Banks could be a clever play on words.
Banksy's "Love In The Bin" passed through a hidden shredder seconds after the hammer fell at Sotheby's Contemporary Art Evening Sale on October 5, 2018.
Banksy's unique graffiti art, shrouded in anonymity, has emerged across the globe. It can be found on the ruins of bombed buildings in Ukraine, as well as on T-shirts symbolizing solidarity with protestors implicated in the removal of slave trader Edward Colston's statue during the 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrations in England. Additionally, Banksy's art has shed light on Europe's migrant crisis in Paris during 2018.
His show in 2003, which debuted right after his interview with Wrench, showcased police vans covered in graffiti, a picture of Winston Churchill sporting a grass Mohican, and live farm animals painted with the Metropolitan Polices' iconic blue-checked patterns.
Discussing these political themes in his work with Wrench, Banksy uncovered the essence of his early ideas and deliberated on the potential of graffiti as a medium for creating art, according to Peak.
"I often ponder the level of purity one can maintain in their artistic intentions and creations when surrounded by an administration, especially if you are a male artist whose artwork sells for exorbitant amounts of money," reflected Peak.
"What struck me while listening to this interview is that everything seems to be aligned perfectly. It's as if he has already determined the purpose of his art and the approach he takes to engage with it."
Politics, vandalism and anarchy
Despite these political themes that have marked his work from early on, Banksy told Wrench in 2003 that he didnt consider himself to be "that political."
He added: "If you reflect on any aspect of your life for more than a moment, you must acknowledge that the shoes you wear are produced by individuals earning a dismal wage, and the coffee you consume contributes to someone, somewhere in the world being exploited."
'Basquiat being stop and searched' on display at Banksy's new show 'Cut & Run' in Glasgow, Scotland's Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
Is this what Banksy sounds like? Old interview may hold the key
Speaking about vandalism and his approach to art, Banksy said: "[Vandalism] is a quicker way of making your point."
"For me, the ultimate goal is to create something that can be appreciated in less time than it takes for people to observe it," he stated.
When asked if his exhibition centered around anarchism, Banksy responded to Wrench, saying, "I am fascinated by injustice. Who possesses the authority to pass judgment on others? If you have ever been at odds with the legal system, it breeds skepticism towards everything, so I suppose I enjoy challenging the status quo... I am intrigued by uncovering who truly embodies righteousness."
Listening to the archived interview has only strengthened Peak's admiration for Banksy. This admiration has grown as he recognized the artistic brilliance and the warm, human, kind, progressive, and liberal sentiments that underlie Banksy's work.
