A famous street graffiti artist, known by the name “Banksy,” has been uncovered to be a man named “Robin Gunningham,” a 51-year-old living in England who was tied to the artist through old police records.
Banksy has risen in popularity throughout the years, his work depicting political and social issues resonating with millions around the world.
He got his start as a graffiti artist in the 1990s, engaging in the Bristol underground scene where various artists and musicians began to create unconventional works of art.
As his style developed, he began to use stencils to speed up the graffiti process, creating a unique style that not only stood out against other artists, but also made his work seem to appear out of thin air due to the quick process of stencil graffiti.
His work began to travel outside of Bristol, working with a small team of likeminded artists to create artworks around the world, often setting up exhibitions for his work.
Banksy’s most famous stunt was hiding a shredder inside of a painting frame, activating after the artwork was sold at auction, shredding half of the artwork.
According to Sotheby’s, the company that actioned off the piece originally, stated that it was “the first artwork in history to have been created live during an auction.”
Even though part of the work was intentionally damaged, the news made national headlines, and the shredded artwork was sold at action in 2021 for 18 million euros, which is about 25 million US dollars.
Banksy’s last known work was in December 2025, where a mural was created in London depicting two children looking up to the sky, serving as an allegory for homelessness inside of the city.
His work has created lots of discussion on serious issues, but many were curious about who he really was behind the mask. Part of the mystique and appeal of Banksy was his anonymous persona, rarely giving interviews and speaking in the public eye.
However, in a recent investigation done by Reuters, a British news agency, they investigated police records and individuals associated with Banksy and concluded that his real name is likely Robert Gunningham.
Banksy has intentionally tried to obscure his identity, going through multiple name changes to hide in plain sight, such as changing his name to David Jones in 2008, one of the most common British names at the time.
As Banksy stated in a Time Out interview, he questioned the necessity of interacting with the public; “I don’t know why people are so keen to put the details of their private life in public; they forget that invisibility is a superpower.”
With the mystery of the artist finally at rest, many wonder if Banksy will address the investigation or continue to focus on his artwork.
While some of his works are done illegally, his art still holds value to people across the globe. Several of his pieces have been carved out of walls for preservation, and Banksy himself has auctioned off artwork done by him to donate money to charities and hospitals.
Even if he may not be as much of a mystery as he used to be, his impact on the art world continues to spark conversations and inspire artists around the world.
