A lost BBC interview with street artist Banksy has been discovered, in which the secretive artist reveals his identity. In a recording from 2003, BBC journalist Nigel Wrench asked him if his name was “Robert Banks”, and the artist replied: “Robbie”. For years, there was speculation on social media about his name, but now his true identity has been revealed.
The artist, then in his twenties, was interviewed by former BBC arts correspondent Nigel Wrench to mark the opening of Banksy’s Turf War show in East London. An edited version was broadcast in July of the same year on the BBC’s PM programme, but not all of the material was used. Many years later, Wrench listened to the podcast ‘The Banksy Story’ and this prompted him to record the entire interview on a minidisc in his home. The never-before-published material reveals how Banksy defends vandalism as art. In the interview, he said that vandalism is a quicker way to get your point across and that he wants to get art done and dusted off. When asked if graffiti was vandalism and whether he considered it illegal, Banksy gave people the following advice: “Get out! Throw things in the trash! Have fun!”
Earlier, the British media announced that his real name is Robert Banks, that he was born in 1974. This artist has been intriguing the world public for years with his satirical works that often carry anti-war, anti-capitalist, anti-establishment or libertarian messages. This rare opportunity for fans to hear Banksy’s voice has caused excitement among those who have long admired his work.