What Is Banksy’s Real Name? Artist Finally Reveals It: ‘It’s…’
An old interview featuring England-based street artist and political activist Banksy was uncovered by the BBC, and it appears to reveal the elusive artist's first name.
After the old recording was discovered, the BBC released Banksy's full 2023 interview with British radio presenter and reporter Nigel Wrench, titled "Bonus Episode: The Lost Banksy Interview," last Tuesday on BBC Radio 4's "The Banksy Story" podcast.
In the recovered interview, Wrench asked Banksy if his name was "Robert Banks." The mysterious artist replied, "It's Robbie."
"Go out! Trash things! Have fun!"
— BBC Radio 4 (@BBCRadio4) November 21, 2023
James Peak (@off_peak_only) unearths a 2003 interview with the secretive artist where he reveals, amongst other things, his first name.
The Banksy Story | Listen on BBC Soundshttps://t.co/C3q1ZQHrjW
At the time of the recording, Banksy was reportedly in his 20s. He was interviewed by Wrench in the summer of 2003 during the opening of his "Turf War" exhibition in East London.
Elsewhere in his old interview, the British artist talked about his philosophy as an artist, saying, "I'm interested in justice... If you've ever fallen foul of the justice system, then it turns you very skeptical about everything, so I guess I like to turn it on its head a little bit," he said at the time.
"I'm into working out who really [are] the good guys," Banksy added.
An art handler adjusts works by Banksy as he hangs them during a preview of the Banksy/Online sale at Sotheby's on September 5, 2019.
While Banksy managed to keep his real identity well-guarded, there had been several speculations about his real first name, with people suggesting names like Robbie, Robert and Robin Gunningham.
Since kicking off his career in the 1990s, he has managed to preserve his anonymity.
Among his popular street artworks are "Girl with Balloon," "Bomb Hugger" and "Ballerina with Action Man Parts," among many others.
In other news, there is an ongoing "blockbuster exhibition of street art superstar Banksy" in Stockholm. Titled "The Mystery of Banksy - A Genius Mind," it will be open for visitors until Feb. 4, 2024.
The exhibition covers "all the elements of the Banksy icon, telling the story of the artist's masterpiece." Through the Bristol-born artist's masterpieces, the exhibition aims to challenge the viewers to use art as a means of influence.
Guests can expect over 150 presentations of Banksy's street artworks reproduced and printed on photographs, sculptures and video installations, as well as various materials such as canvas, fabric, aluminum, Forex and Plexiglas.
