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Banksy identity revealed?

By Ruth Doherty on Monday 14 July 2008

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Marie Claire news: Banksy wall

A newspaper claims to have discovered the real identity of mysterious graffiti artist, Banksy.

The Mail on Sunday claimed the artist is a 34-year-old former public school pupil called Robin Gunningham.

The paper says it identified the 'guerilla artist' from a picture purporting to be him kneeling down by a painting in Jamaica four years ago.

But a spokeswoman for Banksy refused to comment on the report.

'We get these calls all the time,' she told the BBC. 'I'll say what I always say: I never confirm or deny these stories.'

Banksy's stencilled artwork pops up sporadically around the world and, in January, a piece of his graffiti in London's Portobello Road – which shows a painter finishing off the word Banksy – attracted a bid of £208,100 in an online auction.

But his identity has always remained a secret, leaving everyone guessing, and only adding to his subversive appeal – his artwork has attracted many a celebrity buyer, with Angelina Jolie and Christina Aguilera being just a couple of the stars who have snapped up his work.

The only known biographical fact about the artist is that he was born and raised in Bristol.

Scott Nurse, who went to the £9,420-a-year Bristol Cathedral School with Gunningham, told the Mail he was 'extremely talented at art'.

Speaking to the paper, he said: 'I am not at all surprised if he is Banksy.'

Luke Egan, an artist who later exhibited with Banksy initially denied knowing Gunningham, but eventually agreed he had shared a flat with him.

But the news is not solidly confirmed, and mystery surrounding the ground-breaking artist's identity is sure to continue until it is.

Monday 14 July 2008

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Whoever Banksy really is, it makes a pleasant change from all those wannabes who love to be in the limelight and have no talent whatsoever.

Good for him.
Comment by kittikat on July 14 11:45

His accountant, gallery and buyers obviously always knew who he was. Adds to the hype, never mind the art! If he was a "real" street artist, no one would care who he was. Picasso never needed an alias!Just one name, and loads of talent.
Comment by Vivien Gleason on July 14 11:46