The real identity of the popular street artist known as Banksy might have been finally revealed. A team of journalists in Reuters has claimed that the graffiti artist is Bristol native Robert Gunningham.
Gunnigham had changed his name after his initial exposure, the agency report claimed.
The revelation came from his arrest in New York in 2000 for graffiti on a billboard.
Police records showed that a handwritten confession was signed by a Robert Gunningham.
In 2008, The Mail reported his name to be the suspect. According to Banksy’s former manager Steve Lazarides, the then decided to “kill his past”.
"Robin Gunningham doesn't exist. The name you mentioned is the one I killed years ago," said Banksy's former manager, Steve Lazarides.
The artist who gained worldwide recognition with his politically charged graffiti and striking public works had carefully protected his identity for decades.
The confirmation that he had a new name, David Jones, reportedly came from Ukraine.
In October 2022, a series of Banksy graffiti works appeared in the country. The same month, a man by the name of David Jones had crossed into Poland.
He travelled with Massive Attack frontman Robert Del Naja, who was assisting the artist.
The choice of the new name is likely motivated by secrecy. In 2017, there were 6,000 David Joneses in the UK.
Banksy's lawyer, Mark Stevens, had asked Reuters not to publish the investigation, citing a threat to the artist's safety, but the agency decided that the public interest in a figure of such magnitude outweighed it.
Banksy is known for his distinctive stencil-based graffiti. His works have appeared on buildings in public spaces in London, New York, Paris, and Bethlehem.
His artworks have often become cultural landmarks and attract large crowds.
Stepehdns Banksy’s longtime lawyer had said that the artist disputes parts of the investigative reports by Reuters. He told reporters that Banksy “does not accept that many of the details contained within your enquiry are correct.” Stephens also highlighted the importance of protecting the artist’s anonymity, explaining that the creator has faced serious risks in the past. “[Working] anonymously or under a pseudonym serves vital societal interests,” he said.
“It protects freedom of expression by allowing creators to speak truth to power without fear of retaliation, censorship or persecution—particularly when addressing sensitive issues such as politics, religion or social justice,” he said.
Banksy’s official company, Pest Control Office, had declined to comment on the reports, stating simply that the artist “has decided to say nothing.”