Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Lifestyle

Who is Banksy? What is his real name? Is Port Talbot mural his? Here's what we know

Banksy is one artist who has thrived off his air of mystery.

Now, one of the most talented artists of our time might have unveiled his latest work in the worn of Port Talbot in south Wales.

The piece was painted on a garage, with one side showing a child enjoying what appears to be falling snow, but the other side exposes it as ash being emitted from a fire.

Locals are "convinced" that the artwork is Banksy's doing.

Nigel Thomas Hunt, Plaid Cymru Councillor for Aberavon said: "We're buzzing down here, we're convinced its the work of a very well known street artist."

New graffiti art which appeared on a garage in Port Talbot has left locals wondering if its a possible new artwork by street artist Banksy. (PA)

Known for his thought-provoking and often politically charged work, the anonymous graffiti artist has already penned dozens of masterpieces that scale walls up and down the country.

He hit headlines back in October when he shredded his own painting minutes after it was sold for just over £1 million.

But how much do we really know about the enigmatic street artist, and how much is he worth?

When did Banksy start his career?

Banksy's legacy begins in Bristol in the 1990s, as part of Bristol's graffiti gang, DryBreadZ crew.

His work was largely free hand, although he later started to use stencils to create his art.

A Banksy mural which was painted on the side of one of the classrooms at Bridge Farm Primary in Bristol during half-term. (PA )

What's Banksy's real name?

Banksy's identity remains unknown, although people have spent years trying to uncover him.

The two most common theories as to his name are Robert Banks and Robin Gunningham, although nothing has been exactly confirmed or denied - you've got to keep the mystery alive somehow.

The Robin Gunningham theory derives from pictures that surfaced of an artist living in Bristol. When Gunningham later moved to London, it conveniently correlated with the geographical movement of Banksy's artwork.

There have been some wackier theories about his identity, though. One theory is that he's fellow artist Damien Hirst's alter-ego since the pair once collaborated on a piece together.

Other theories are that he's a woman, is actually a group of several artists or creepily, may not exist at all...

Banksy has created street art around the world. This graffiti, depicting a refugee girl spray painting over a swastika, can be found in Paris. (AFP/Getty Images)

Why does Banksy keep his identity a secret?

Banksy has continuously refused to reveal his identity.

He says this is to prevent incriminating himself, because of the illegal nature of graffiti.

Some art critics, however, argue that his anonymity is part of a clever marketing tool.

Banksy's best work is on display at London's Lazinc Gallery throughout July. (AFP/Getty Images)

How much is Banksy worth?

Paradoxically, Banksy has earned a fair amount of money from an art form that fundamentally opposes capitalism.

Forbes estimated his worth to be $20 million.

In an interview with the Village Voice, he stated that "commercial success is a mark of failure for a graffiti artist."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.