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Early Years
According to Tristan Manco in his book Home Sweet Home, Banksy was born in 1974 in Bristol, England. Little is known about the mysterious artist's youth, and even those who raised him don't know his true identity. According to Banksy in a rare 2003 interview with The Guardian, his parents think he is a "painter and decorator." -
Artist's Beginnings
In the early 90's, He started out as a freehand graffiti artist for Bristol's DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ) along with two other members of the crew, Kato and Tes. His inspiration stemmed from local artists, and his work was part of the larger Bristol underground street art and hip-hop scene. -
Moves to London
Banksy began to turn into a street art sensation, and decision to head to London was paralleled by his decision to aim for anonymity. He hid his identity so the police would have a harder time catching him if they had no clue who he was. After all, much of his work was and remains illegal.
A notable work from this time is titled "Mild Mild West" -
Began his signature stenciling
In Banksy's book, Wall and Piece, the street artist claims that his idea to use stencils came to him when he was hiding from the police under a garbage truck and saw a stenciled serial number. Since then, Banksy has used stencils to create a huge body of street art without being caught. -
Guantonimo Bay in Disneyland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xggauOftlzo
Right around the anniversary of September 11th, Banksy went to
Disneyland in Calfornia. There he quickly and discreetly posted a blown-up doll that portrayed a Guantonomo Bay soldier right next to a ride. Shortly after, all the rides stopped, and the Disney security went on a hunt for Banksy, only to end up empty-handed. -
Banksy ges bolder
Banksy stenciled scenes of paradise on Israel’s West Bank wall. He also snuck a fake cave drawing into the British Museum, which once discovered was added to the Museum’s collection. -
Bansky holds controversial "Barely Legal" exhibition
elephant The show was held two days at an abandoned warehouse in Los Angeles, and featured a variety of Banky's works, as well as a live "elephant in the room
- The elephant in which he painted on had animal activists concerned, however the media and guests were enthralled.
-Christina Aguilera bought some prints for £25,000, while Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie reportedly purchase some work too. The original "wallpaper" Banksy used as a backdrop for his elephant is on sale now for $50,000. -
Banky's work is removed
- Banksy took a daring protest against London with his work, which is believed to be a dig aimed at "Big Brother." The Westminster City Council removed Banksy's piece “One Nation Under CCTV”, explaining that graffiti will not be tolerated
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Banksy releases movie "Exit Through the Gift Shop"
- No writer or director is credited, but is exclaimed as a "Banksy film"
- The film criticizes modern street art, by telling the true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to turn his back on Banksy and copy him for the iniative of fame, glory, and fortune
- The film is rumored to be a hoax
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Hoax "Banky arrest"
hoax
-Rumors flew around social media based on an article exclaiming how London police surveilled Banksy for 24 hours before arresting him
-The story proved to be a hoax, possibly even staged by Banksy himself
