Banksy’s First Name Revealed in Resurfaced Interview Clip as Lawsuit Threatens to Expose His Full Identity

Banksy, the renowned artist known for keeping his identity secret, has apparently disclosed his first name in a recently surfaced interview clip from 2003. However, there is a possibility that his identity could become fully public due to a lawsuit.

An interview with the elusive street artist Banksy, which includes the sole occasion where he discloses his first name, has been discovered.

In the 2003 recording, a BBC reporter interviews Banksy and inquires about his true identity, suggesting that his real name might be "Robert Banks". In response, Banksy reveals that his actual name is "Robbie".

There has been widespread speculation for a long time regarding the real identity of the street artist. This artist's work is highly valued, with fees reaching millions of dollars. Their artwork can be found on various surfaces, including houses, renowned art galleries, and even the Israeli West Bank barrier. Over the years, several individuals, such as Robert Del Naja from Massive Attack, Neil Buchanan from Art Attack, and Billy Gannon, a former councilor from Pembroke Dock, have been suspected of being the artist. In fact, Gannon stepped down from his position in 2022, citing the constant speculation as the reason for his inability to fulfill his responsibilities.

In 2008, the Daily Mail claimed that Banksy is Robin Gunningham, a former public schoolboy who was 34 years old at the time. However, Banksy denied this allegation. Currently, there is a lawsuit against Banksy that could potentially reveal his real name. The lawsuit is filed by a company that accuses Banksy of causing significant harm to its reputation through an Instagram post in 2022. In the post, Banksy alerted shoplifters to target GUESS store on Regent Street, claiming that the store had taken his artwork without permission. The company argues that this post encourages illegal behavior and seeks legal action against Banksy.

The recently discovered interview will not convince anyone that Banksy is actually Gunningham. It is also significant because it is one of the earliest radio interviews with the street artist, who was in his twenties at the time and getting ready to open Banksy's Turf War exhibition in east London. In the interview, he addresses accusations of vandalism, stating that he has no intention of apologizing for it. He believes that it is a more efficient way of expressing one's opinion. He encourages others to go out, cause chaos, and have fun, as it is up to other people to make changes and clean up the mess.

You can listen to the complete interview on BBC Sounds in the most recent installment of Radio 4's The Banksy Story.

On November 21, 2023, some corrections were made to this article. The real name of Banksy, as reported by the Daily Mail in 2008, is Robin Gunningham and not "Cunningham".

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