What is the real identity of the artist Banksy?

Whether you follow his work or not, everyone in the UK and many people around the world have heard the name ‘Banksy’. This yet unidentified street artist has made the headlines around the world for his usually controversial stunts, but despite this attention, there is yet to be confirmation of his true identity.

There does, however, seem to be one main suspect. Over the years there have been many stabs at who the real Banksy is, but one name that crops up time and time again is Robert, or Robin, Banks from Yate, Bristol. Although neither Banksy nor his spokesperson have ever confirmed his identity, it is believed this is the real name of this illusive graffiti artist.

Even though we also have a date of birth (believed to be 1974) as well as a name, no-one has yet been able to pin down this Robert Banks. Banksy and his management are always quick to deny or to even refuse to comment when a photo of ‘him’ is taken and printed in the press. It is also believed that even his parents might be unaware of his true identity. The parents of a Robert Banks from Bristol claim that they don’t really know what their son does, other than that it might have something to do with painting a decorating. Adding to the suspicion is that this same Robert Banks seems to appear on no files or records anywhere, but obviously this means that the trail comes to a dead end.

But many do ask; what’s so special about Banksy? If it wasn’t for all the secrecy surrounding his work, would people pay as much attention to his stunts? Even so, fans and critics of Banksy’s work are genuinely less concerned with his real identity and more interested in the nature of his work.

Banksy’s stunts have appeared in Los Angeles to Paris right to his home city of Bristol. Each one is often socially or politically motivated, highlighting a controversial issue such as the on-going anti-capitalist demonstration outside St Paul’s Cathedral in London and the Guantanamo Bay detainee model he placed in Disneyland, California. But whatever the public think of Banksy, he has undeniably taken the world by storm.

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