Neighbours of the elusive graffiti artist Banksy have described him as a pleasant but shy individual, following a recent investigation that identified him as Robin Gunningham. The artist, who reportedly changed his name to David Jones, previously lived in a Somerset village where locals respected his privacy.
One local told the Daily Telegraph: 'I once gave him and his partner a lift from the station. They were very nice but I don't know more than that. We let him keep himself to himself and I'm glad he didn't graffiti my house.' Another neighbour, Mary, said Banksy was hounded out of the village by journalists, adding: 'I used to chat to his female partner. They sold up and moved, I think when the press got wind of their location.'
Banksy's anonymity serves multiple purposes, according to his lawyer Mark Stephens. It allows the artist to work freely under UK law, which would classify most graffiti as criminal damage, and also protects his freedom of expression. Stephens stated: 'Working anonymously or under a pseudonym serves vital societal interests. It protects freedom of expression by allowing creators to speak truth to power without fear of retaliation.'
Banksy's murals often appear overnight and are frequently removed and sold for high sums. For instance, his Hula-hooping Girl painting in Nottingham was sold to a gallery owner for a six-figure sum in 2021. Fellow artist Grayson Perry once remarked that Banksy's works are 'the only graffiti that puts house prices up'.
Despite his popularity—a survey ranked him above Rembrandt and Monet—not everyone is a fan. Street artist David Speed told Vice: 'It's very much one rule for him and another rule for everyone else. When street artists do it, it's vandalism. When Banksy does it, it's an art piece.'
Celebrities such as Brad Pitt, Justin Bieber, and Robbie Williams have purchased Banksy's works. Robbie Williams commented: 'I love its subversiveness... It upends what is considered respectful.' Supermodel Kate Moss also has a Banksy mural in her bathroom, valued at up to £200,000.
