The real name of the mysterious street artist, who has been hiding under the alias โBanksyโ for years, is David Jones, Reuters has claimed, citing the results of its own investigation.
Banksyโs identity has fueled speculation since his first graffiti appeared in 1999. He has become one of the worldโs most famous artists, with his artworks popping up in various locations around the globe, including conflict hot spots, selling for millions of dollars at auctions and being frequent targets of thieves.
In its article on Friday, Reuters noted that Banksyโs actual name had been first mentioned by the Daily Mail in 2008, which identified him as Bristol-born artist Robin Gunningham.
According to the agency, he had since then changed his ID and now carries a passport with the name โDavid Jones.โ
Itโs one of the most common first and last name combinations in the UK, with 6,000 people bearing it in 2017, it stressed. Itโs also the birth name of iconic British rock legend David Bowie.
Reuters explained that it established Banksyโs identity after reviewing publicly available records, including financial statements by his former accountant.
The journalists said that they also got clues about the artistโs real name after looking into the circumstances of several of his graffiti appearing in Ukraine in 2022.
There is no evidence of Robin Gunningham entering the country, but there is data on David Jones crossing the Ukrainian border, they stressed. He had been accompanied by photographer Giles Duley and co-founder of the band Massive Attack and artist Robert Del Naja, who had been previously suspected of being the one behind the Banksy nickname, according to the journalists.
The date of birth in David Jonesโ passport matches that of Robin Gunningham, a source told Reuters.
The agency said that they forwarded the results of their investigation and questions to the person they believe to be Banksy, but he โdidnโt reply.โ
The artistโs lawyer, Mark Stephens, also declined to confirm his identity, but urged the journalists against publishing the report, arguing that it would violate his clientโs privacy, interfere with his art and endanger him.
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Reuters said that it still decided to release its findings because โthe public has a deep interest in understanding the identity and career of a figure with his profound and enduring influence on culture, the art industry and international political discourse.โ
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