Banksy's Identity: New Clues Emerge?
A Reuters investigation suggests Banksy may have taken on a new identity, following clues from Ukraine to London to Manhattan [https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/global-art-banksy/]. A new mural in London—a man scrubbing his back—is fueling speculation about his whereabouts and projects [https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/global-art-banksy/].
The Reuters investigation follows Banksy's activities after his confirmed murals in Ukraine in 2022, which included a gymnast doing a handstand on a bombed building in Borodyanka and a judo match between a child and an adult resembling Vladimir Putin. Ukraine even released a postage stamp featuring the judo mural. These works served as "symbols of solidarity and resilience" amidst the war. The identity of Banksy remains unconfirmed, though speculation has circulated since the early 2000s. One theory points to Robin Gunningham, with a 2016 study correlating his movements to Banksy's appearances. A 2003 BBC interview also resurfaced, in which Banksy said his first name was Robbie. Meanwhile, a recent Banksy mural in London, depicting a judge striking a protester with a gavel, was removed from the Royal Courts of Justice within days of its appearance. The mural was interpreted as a commentary on the UK's crackdown on pro-Palestine activism. Authorities cited the building's historical significance as the reason for its removal.
