The Real Banksy: Anonymity and Authenticity in the Art Market

By Alexandra Even

Banksy’s anonymity is as a part of his brand as his art. But it now appears the artist’s long-held secret may be in jeopardy: Banksy has recently been involved in a number of legal battles with a greeting card company over a trademark dispute and now a libel lawsuit. The lawsuits have named “Robin Gunningham” as a defendant, which Banksy has officially denied is his legal name, and the plaintiff has indicated it may request Banksy to reveal his true identity. This is just one example of how Banksy’s anonymity can rub up against the legal and practical reality of operating in the art market. So how does an artist as notorious and well-known as Banksy operate anonymously when such a large part of the art market is predicated on relationships and identity?

Banksy the Artist

Banksy is not a completely mysterious figure. While he has continued to remain anonymous throughout his career, that has not stopped him from giving veiled interviews or speaking through his associates. For instance, we know he grew up in Bristol, England and got involved in the underground street art there in the 1990s.^[1] In an effort to evade the police, the artist began going by a pseudonym, first going by Robin Banx, later shortening it to Banksy (this was easier to write quickly on a wall).^[2]