The iconic street artist has one of the most common British male names, the agency has said<\/p>\n
The real name of the mysterious street artist, who has been hiding under the alias \u2018Banksy\u2019 for years, is David Jones, Reuters has claimed, citing the results of its own investigation.
\nBanksy\u2019s identity has fueled speculation since his first graffiti appeared in 1999. He has become one of the world\u2019s most famous artists, with his artworks popping up in various locations around the globe, including conflict hot spots, selling for millions of dollars at auctions and being frequent targets of thieves.
\nIn its article on Friday, Reuters noted that Banksy\u2019s actual name had been first mentioned by the Daily Mail in 2008, which identified him as Bristol-born artist Robin Gunningham.
\nAccording to the agency, he had since then changed his ID and now carries a passport with the name \u2018David Jones.\u2019
\nIt\u2019s one of the most common first and last name combinations in the UK, with 6,000 people bearing it in 2017, it stressed. It\u2019s also the birth name of iconic British rock legend David Bowie.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
London police could expose Banksy\u2019s identity \u2013 Telegraph<\/p>\n
Reuters explained that it established Banksy\u2019s identity after reviewing publicly available records, including financial statements by his former accountant.
\nThe journalists said that they also got clues about the artist\u2019s real name after looking into the circumstances of several of his graffiti appearing in Ukraine in 2022.
\nThere is no evidence of Robin Gunningham entering the country, but there is data on David Jones crossing the Ukrainian border, they stressed. He had been accompanied by photographer Giles Duley and co-founder of the band Massive Attack and artist Robert Del Naja, who had been previously suspected of being the one behind the Banksy nickname, according to the journalists.
\nThe date of birth in David Jones\u2019 passport matches that of Robin Gunningham, a source told Reuters.
\nThe agency said that they forwarded the results of their investigation and questions to the person they believe to be Banksy, but he \u201cdidn\u2019t reply.\u201d
\nThe artist\u2019s lawyer, Mark Stephens, also declined to confirm his identity, but urged the journalists against publishing the report, arguing that it would violate his client\u2019s privacy, interfere with his art and endanger him.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Banksy artwork vanishes in Ukraine \u2013 media<\/p>\n
Reuters said that it still decided to release its findings because \u201cthe public has a deep interest in understanding the identity and career of a figure with his profound and enduring influence on culture, the art industry and international political discourse.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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