A long-running investigation has suggested that the street artist known as Banksy may be legally named David Jones. A report indicates that Jones was previously known as Robin Gunningham, a name long associated with Banksy, before legally changing his name several years ago.
Journalists conducting the investigation spoke with more than a dozen insiders and experts, analysed photographs, and reviewed previously unpublished court and police records relating to early arrests in the United States.
The inquiry also examined travel records, including a trip Banksy reportedly took to Ukraine in 2022. While the report contains extensive detail, the artist himself has not confirmed his identity, and the information is not independently verified.
Reuters shared its findings with Banksy’s representatives, but received no response from the artist.
His lawyer, Mark Stephens, told the agency that he “disagrees with many of the details” in the report and urged that it should not be published, warning that disclosure could violate Banksy’s privacy and threaten his safety.
In 2008, the tabloid The Mail on Sunday linked him to Robin Gunningham following a year-long investigation.
In 2023, the BBC released a previously unpublished 2003 radio interview in which the artist referred to himself once as “Robbie” ahead of his first major London exhibition.
Despite these investigations, Banksy’s identity remains unverified, and the artist continues to work anonymously, maintaining the secrecy that has surrounded his life and career for more than 25 years.
Banksy is known for his distinctive stencilled street art, which often features dark humour, political commentary, and critiques of authority and consumerism.
His work has appeared on buildings, walls, and streets in cities across the world, from London and New York to Bethlehem and Paris. Many of his pieces carry powerful social or political messages, addressing issues such as war, poverty, climate change, and human rights.
In addition to street art, Banksy has held major gallery exhibitions, including the 2005 “Barely Legal” exhibition in Los Angeles, and has produced large-scale public works such as the Dismaland Bemusement Park Project in 2015, a dystopian theme park that satirised modern society.
Despite his global fame, Banksy has maintained strict anonymity, often using social media and curated online platforms to release new works while avoiding personal publicity.
Tehran will open a direct communication channel with Washington to report alleged breaches of the ceasefire memorandum of understanding, while insisti...
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Ho...
Search and rescue teams from several countries have rescued a 44-year-old security guard who survived for more than a week beneath the ruins of a coll...
Russia is facing widening fuel shortages across multiple regions after sustained Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries and fuel depots disrupted domes...
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has formally apologised on behalf of the British state for its role in the historical forced adoption of babies in Engl...
Attendees at undeclared free parties in France could face on-the-spot fines of €1,500 ($1,713) or up to six months in prison under proposed new legislation currently being reviewed by the French National Assembly.
British artist David Hockney, one of the most influential figures in contemporary art, has died at age 88, his publicist said on Friday (12 June). He died peacefully at his home in London one month before his 89th birthday.
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has warned that escalating conflict in Iran and the wider region is placing multiple World Heritage sites at risk, with reports of damage to historic monuments caused by nearby airstrikes and shockwaves.
Thousands of revellers packed Berga's main square as fire-devil performers showered the crowd with sparks during Catalonia's UNESCO-listed La Patum festival.
A Russian couple climbed to the top of the Empire State Building and unfurled a banner urging world peace before, in an apparent elaborate marriage proposal that ended with their arrests.
Iranian and U.S. negotiating teams were due in Doha this week, but Iran said on Monday no meeting had been scheduled as weekend missile fire from both sides tested the interim ceasefire to end the four-month-old war.
Negotiations between the U.S. and Iran mediated by Qatar in Doha have concluded, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi has said.
Iran and the U.S. have concluded indirect talks in Doha without a major breakthrough, with discussions focused on maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz and frozen Iranian funds. Both sides are expected to meet again after the funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mexico ended their 40-year wait for a World Cup knockout win, while Erling Haaland sent Norway through and Kylian Mbappé fired France into the last 16.
The closely guarded wedding of pop superstar Taylor Swift and famed NFL player Travis Kelce is speculated to take place in New York this week, with multiple media outlets and city officials pointing to Madison Square Garden as the venue.
Britain said on Tuesday (30 June) it could intervene in Paramount Skydance Corp’s proposed $110 billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, potentially delaying one of the largest media mergers in recent years despite approvals from the United States, China and several other major markets.
Science does not usually have much to do with K-pop. But a postgraduate student in southern China has found a way to bring the two together, and the result is now permanently written into the scientific record.
The wife and children of Argentine footballer Lucas Trejo were among around 1,700 people who died when two earthquakes struck northern Venezuela last week.
Manhattan prosecutors have moved to drop a third-degree rape charge against movie producer Harvey Weinstein after his accuser said she no longer wished to testify. The decision ended what could have been a fourth New York trial in the long-running sexual assault case.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment