A fresh Banksy creation has attracted crowds in the heart of London. The piece, situated on a pedestal in Waterloo Place, portrays a man in a suit walking towards the edge, his view obstructed by a fluttering flag. While Banksy’s signature is etched on the back of the pedestal, the artist has not yet verified the artwork through official channels or social media platforms.
Recently, an investigation claimed to have exposed the ‘true’ identity of the Bristol artist, suggesting that Banksy is actually Robin Gunningham, who legally changed his name to David Jones. Reuters reported examining various sources related to Banksy’s identity, including interviews with insiders and experts, along with undisclosed court records and police reports in an attempt to reveal the artist’s persona. In response, Banksy’s longtime lawyer Mark Stephens disputed the accuracy of the details presented in the inquiry.
Allegedly, Banksy requested Reuters not to publish the report, citing concerns about privacy intrusion, potential impact on his art, and personal safety. Born at Bristol Maternity Hospital in the early 1970s, Banksy gained fame in the 1990s for his stencil artworks in Bristol, expanding his presence to other UK cities and worldwide.
Now a globally acclaimed street artist, Banksy’s pieces have fetched millions at auctions. Notably, his artwork “Girl With A Balloon” sold for £1,042,000 at Sotheby’s in 2018, only to be shredded by a built-in shredder moments after the sale. The shredded piece, renamed “Love is in the Bin,” later sold at another auction for £18,582,00.
