A lost BBC interview has been uncovered that sheds more light on the identity of legendary street artist Banksy.
The 2003 recording has been unearthed by former BBC arts correspondent Nigel Wrench, and has now been aired on Radio 4’s The Banksy Story podcast.
An edited version of the interview was initially broadcast in July 2003 ahead of the opening of Banksy’s Turf War show in east London.
But sections of the recording were not used, including a clip in which the anonymous artist appears to reveal his first name.
The reporter can be heard asking Banksy if his name is “Robert Banks”, and the artist replies: “It’s Robbie.”
What is Banksy’s true identity?
If this exchange is to be taken at face value, it means Banksy’s real identity is a man named Robbie Banks.
However, we cannot know for sure if this is another alias.
One of the most popular theories suggests Banksy is a Bristol-based artist called Robin Gunningham – and Robin could also be shortened to Robbie.
In 2016, a study found that the appearance of Banksy’s works correlated with the known movements of Gunningham. Lawyers commenting on the study did not suggest that the paper’s conclusions were flawed.
Adding further fuel to the fire is the historical account of Banksy checking into a New York hotel using the name “Robin” in 1994, and DJ Goldie referring to the artist as “Rob” in a 2017 interview.
There have also been rumours it is Rob Del Naja from Bristolian band Massive Attack, known by his stage name 3D.
Del Naja was a graffiti artist before he formed the band, but has previously been identified as a “personal friend” of Banksy (who even stated he’s been heavily influenced in his art by 3D).
Del Naja being Banksy wouldn’t quite line up with journalist Simon Hattenstone’s description following a 2003 interview with Banksy conducted for The Guardian.
“He looks like a cross between Jimmy Nail and Mike Skinner of the Streets,” said Hattenstone, “white, 28…” Del Naja is 54 now, meaning he would have been 38 in 2003.
Another claimed candidate is Jamie Hewlett, English comic-book artist and designer best known as a founder of the virtual band Gorillaz, but Banksy’s publicist has denied this claim.
Then there is Neil Buchanan, best known for hosting Art Attack on ITV from 1990 to 2007, and being a former member of heavy metal band Marseille. One theory that went wild in 2020 suggested that Buchanan would create pieces of Banksy artwork in cities where the band was performing live.
His representatives were forced to deny the claims, stating: “Neil Buchanan is not Banksy. We have been inundated with enquiries over the weekend regarding the current social media story.”
What did Banksy say in the lost interview?
Banksy defends his art in the interview, justifying its existence despite it taking far less time to create than most regular artworks.
“I’m not here to apologise for it,” he says. “It’s a quicker way of making your point, right? In the same way my mother used to cook Sunday roast every Sunday and says every Sunday, ‘it takes hours to make it, minutes to eat’.
“And these days she eats microwave meals for one and seems a lot happier. I’m kind of taking that approach to art really. I want to get it done and dusted.”
In response to claims his art is vandalism, Banksy adds: “Go out! Trash things! Have fun! Other people, they can change it. They can get rid of it.”