Known for his provocative and critical style of urban art, Banksy uses any space around the world as a canvas to express his discontent towards social and political injustices. Of course, always under the pseudonym that he has protected his identity for years and with which he has become a celebrity of contemporary art.
Identity in danger. However, his time of anonymity may now be about to come to an end, as the graffiti artist's indictment in a lawsuit could soon reveal his identity in Britain's High Court.
The demand. Andrew Gallagher, 56, a businessman who started in the music industry, is the man who has filed a lawsuit against Banksy for alleged defamation in relation to an Instagram post made by the artist in November 2022. Apparently, Gallagher alleges that the publication contained defamatory words referring to Gallagher and his company and is now seeking around €1.5 million in damages and an injunction to prevent future defamation.
A series of legal procedures that could require Banksy to formally identify himself and lose his anonymity that has remained intact until now, despite multiple speculations and theories about who he could be.
Until now, the theory that seems to gain the most strength about Banksy's identity is the one published by the Daily Mail in 2007, which after an investigation suggested that the artist was actually Robin Gunningham, a 53-year-old man born in Bristol.
The co-defendant company. But the artist is not the only one who will have to face the defamation lawsuit, Gallagher has also sued Pest Control Ltd, the company that Banksy founded to sell his art that is always produced overnight and without being seen. .
Following the news, Banksy and Pest Control remain silent and their lawyer assures that “the details are confidential and will remain so until Banksy or Pest Control present their recognition of service. "I am now not at liberty to say anything more about the claim."
Meanwhile, Banksy's true identity remains to be fully confirmed and speculation continues to surround the mysterious artist. The world will have to wait until a possible trial to discover her identity.
