Banksy’s Identity Revealed After Years of Anonymity

The famous street artist is no longer anonymous—and that might help his career.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 9:39pm

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After years of maintaining anonymity, the famous street artist Banksy has been revealed to be Robin Gunningham, a 50-something man from Bristol, England who legally changed his name to David Jones in 2008. Reuters and The Wall Street Journal report that Banksy’s company, Pest Control Office, has neither confirmed nor denied the artist’s identity, with Pest Control stating that the artist “has decided to say nothing.” Experts believe that Banksy’s unmasking could actually benefit his career, making him a more stable investment and increasing his value in the art market.

Why it matters

Banksy’s anonymity has been a key part of his mystique and appeal, with many over the years trying and failing to learn his true identity. The revelation of his identity could change how his art is perceived and valued in the art world.

The details

An investigation from Reuters revealed that Banksy is actually Robin Gunningham, a 50-something man from Bristol, England who legally changed his name to David Jones (one of England’s most common names) around 2008, after The Daily Mail reported on his identity. Both Reuters and The Wall Street Journal report that Banksy’s company, Pest Control Office, has neither confirmed nor denied the artist’s identity, with Pest Control stating that the artist “has decided to say nothing.”

  • Banksy legally changed his name to David Jones around 2008.

The players

Banksy

The famous anonymous street artist, revealed to be Robin Gunningham, a 50-something man from Bristol, England.

Pest Control Office

Banksy’s company, which has neither confirmed nor denied the artist’s identity.

Robin Gunningham

The real identity of Banksy, a 50-something man from Bristol, England who legally changed his name to David Jones around 2008.

Jean-Paul Engelen

A director at New York’s Acquavella Galleries, who believes Banksy’s unmasking could actually benefit his career.

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What they’re saying

““Banksy may see himself as a rebel, but he’s become part of the established art market, so the more known about his life, the better.””

— Jean-Paul Engelen, Director, Acquavella Galleries

The takeaway

The revelation of Banksy’s identity could change how his art is perceived and valued in the art world, potentially benefiting his career by making him a more stable investment.