Banksy Seemingly Utters His Name In Never-Published Interview From 20 Years Ago

Photo 268290981 © Giuseppe Anello | Dreamstime.com

A long-lost interview with the enigmatic street artist Banksy, dating back over two decades, has surfaced, offering an intriguing glimpse into the thoughts—and potential identity—of the notoriously secretive figure.

Recorded in the summer of 2003 by Nigel Wrench, a former BBC arts correspondent, the interview took place during the opening of Banksy’s Turf War show in East London.

Known for his quick and covert graffiti art, the artist likened his creative process to microwaving meals: fast, efficient, and focused on the result. He justified his swift technique, asserting, “I’m not here to apologize for it. It’s a quicker way of making your point.”

This interview, partially broadcast on BBC’s Radio 4 PM program in July 2003, compelled Wrench to dig up the rest of the audio, which he rediscovered in a minidisc in his home.

The forgotten conversation has now been published in its entirety on BBC Radio 4’s The Banksy Story podcast, available on BBC Sounds. It presents listeners with the rare opportunity to hear Banksy’s voice.

In it, Banksy interestingly compared his art to his mother’s shift from laborious Sunday roasts to convenient microwave meals, emphasizing his preference for quick and impactful art. “These days, she eats microwave meals for one and seems a lot happier,” he remarked. “I’m kind of taking that approach to art, really.”

Even more incredibly, when questioned about his real name being “Robert Banks,” Banksy responded, “It’s Robbie.” This revelation adds credence to the speculations that his real name is either Robert Banks or Robin Banks.

This interview is among the earliest known radio conversations with Banksy, whose identity has been shrouded in mystery. Despite his global acclaim, Banksy has successfully maintained his anonymity, fueling various theories about his true identity. One popular conjecture suggests he is Robin Gunningham, as evidenced by a 2008 Daily Mail investigation linking Gunningham to the early Bristol graffiti scene, paralleling Banksy’s career path.

Another hypothesis proposes Robert Del Naja, aka 3D of Massive Attack, as Banksy. This theory, promoted by investigative journalist Craig Williams, points to the coincidence of Banksy’s art appearing in cities hosting Massive Attack concerts. Del Naja, initially a graffiti artist, has refuted these claims.

Some theorize that Banksy is not an individual but a collective, citing the diverse styles and geographic spread of his work. Others speculate Banksy could be a woman, based on perceived feminine elements in some pieces, though this remains unverified. Various other names, including an art professor and other street artists, have been floated, yet none confirmed.

Now, with the resurfacing of this interview, the clue “Robin” adds another layer to the Banksy enigma.

[via The Independent, NME, BBC, cover photo 268290981 © Giuseppe Anello | Dreamstime.com]