Banksy, in an astonishingly revealed interview, finally discloses his true identity
The enigmatic street artist finally revealed himself as Robbie during a face-to-face interview with the BBC in 2003. During this encounter, he passionately expressed his grievances against Charles Saatchi, holding him accountable for Margaret Thatcher's policies.
Renowned for their elusive nature, Banksy, the enigmatic street artist known for their anonymity, appears to have had their true identity brought to light. A recently unearthed 2003 BBC interview on BBC Radio 4’s The Banksy Story featured a previously unheard conversation with the artist, delving into their 2003 Turf War exhibition. In this interview, former BBC arts correspondent Nigel Wrench inquired about the possibility of disclosing Banksy’s real name.
Despite this revelation, the veil shrouding Banksy’s identity remains, leaving room for speculation. Among the names circulating as potential identities are Robert Del Naja, also recognized as 3D, an artist and member of the group Massive Attack. Another contender is Robin Gunningham, born on July 28, 1973, in Yate.
However, during the recently publicised conversation, the man’s true identity appeared to have been revealed.
The brief exchange unfolded in this manner:
Nigel: May I use your name? I mean, The Independent already has.
Banksy: Yeah.
Nigel: Is it Robert Banks?
Banksy: It’s Robbie.
Nigel: Robbie. Understood. Robbie.
During the exclusive BBC interview, when questioned about whether graffiti constitutes vandalism, Banksy replied: “Yes. When done properly, it’s illegal! But I believe my work generally receives a positive response from most people. You know, I’ve even had policemen admit they appreciate certain aspects of it, but… I simply consider it my right to go out and create.”
When discussing his stance on the contemporary art scene, Banksy firmly stated his refusal to sell any work to Charles Saatchi, attributing blame to Saatchi for Margaret Thatcher’s era and the remarkably persuasive advertisements he produced.
In a conversation with Nigel, Banksy was queried about his own artworks fetching £15,000. To this, Banksy quipped, “Seems so! But that’s not what I pocket! No, nowadays, I focus on painting, you see? As for the buyers, I haven’t a clue. Perhaps it’s time I investigate. Valid point.”
You can catch the entire conversation now on BBC Sounds.
