Known for his dark humour and unique imagery combined with satirical social and political criticism, he regularly highlights issues including opposition to capitalism, authoritarianism, militarism, and the establishment. Despite having begun on the streets, Banksy's art is some of the most recognisable and collectable internationally and is shown by galleries and auction houses across the globe.

He first emerged in the early 1990s through graffiti in Bristol, England, and his distinctive stencilling technique has since become globally recognised. As his reputation grew, so did the reach of his art. Banksy's distinctive pieces began appearing on walls, bridges, and buildings across the globe, from London to New York City to Palestine.

Throughout his career, Banksy has continued to challenge conventional notions of art and its place in society. He has staged audacious stunts, such as sneaking his own artworks into prestigious museums or setting up a stall selling original pieces in Central Park. These actions not only blur the lines between vandalism and art but also serve as powerful critiques of the elitism and commercialization of the art world.

Banksy as seen in his 2010 film ‘Exit Through The Gift Shop’

In addition to his street art, Banksy has ventured into other mediums, including film. His documentary "Exit Through the Gift Shop" offers a glimpse into the secretive world of street art while raising questions about the nature of art, the cult of celebrity, and the commodification of creativity. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2011.

Banksy's anonymity has only added to his mystique and allure, sparking speculation and intrigue about his true identity. Despite numerous theories and investigations, Banksy's real name and identity remain one of the art world's most closely guarded secrets.

Read about some of his most ambitious projects to date below:

Dismaland

Dismaland was a temporary art project created for the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset. Prepared in secret, the pop-up exhibition was "a sinister twist on Disneyland" that was open for just 36 days. Banksy described it as a "family theme park unsuitable for children." with the aesthetic of a "bemusement park". The name was inspired by "Dismayland", a series of paintings created by American artist Jeff Gillette, who also participated in the exhibition.

Banksy produced ten brand-new works just for the project, as well as providing funding for the exhibition's building. 58 artists from around the world were invited to participate and display works of their own. The installation received 150,000 visitors in the five weeks it was open. After it closed, the building material for the project was repurposed as shelters for refugees in the Calais Jungle where he also added murals.

The Walled-off Hotel

The Walled Off Hotel is a boutique hotel in Palestine, designed by Banksy alongside other creatives. Opened in March 2017, and initially set out to only be a temporary exhibition the hotel has now attracted nearly 140,000 visitors. The installation is generally considered to be a follow-up to the 2015 Dismaland project.

The hotel is considered to be a key piece of social commentary on the Palestinians affected by the Israeli-Palestine Conflict and billed as having “the worst view of any hotel in the world”.

Funding M.V Louise Michel

in 2020, Banksy funded a boat to rescue refugees attempting to reach Europe from north Africa. The vessel, named Louise Michel after a French feminist anarchist, set off in secrecy from the Spanish seaport of Burriana, near Valencia, and travelled to the central Mediterranean where it rescued 89 people in distress.

Banksy’s involvement in the project came about because of an email sent by the artist to Pia Klemp, a former captain of several NGO boats that have rescued thousands of migrants. it read:

“Hello Pia, I’ve read about your story in the papers. You sound like a badass,” he wrote. “I am an artist from the UK and I’ve made some work about the migrant crisis, obviously I can’t keep the money. Could you use it to buy a new boat or something? Please let me know. Well done. Banksy.”

Invasion of Tate Britain

As part of his infamous ‘Museum Pranks’ in the mid 2000’s, Banksy walked into some of the most highly regarded and significant museums in London and New-York to place some of his artworks. Of course, as is always the case with Banksy, it was not just any artwork – each was meticulously prepared to send a very specific message. Some of these stunts were even recorded on video by his associates.

The first of which was in Tate Britain, London, on 17 October 2003, where Banksy entered Tate Britain disguised as a pensioner and stuck one of his creations in a vacant slot on one of the gallery’s walls. The painting then sat on the wall for several hours before crashing to the floor. Named ‘Crimewatch UK Has Ruined the Countryside For All of Us’ the piece depicts a quaint countryside cottage covered in police tape. Banksy later released a statement saying:

“I’m kinda into the message that vandalising a painting with police tape is how a lot of people see the world these days. People don’t actually see the world with Constable’s eyes with hay and rivers any more. The amount of paranoia and fear about violent crime and pedophilia makes mine a more accurate drawing of the English landscape we actually live in.”

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Creating Record-breaking Auction Results

Banksy’s current auction record is held by his 2018 artwork ‘Love Is In The Bin’. On the memorable night, in 2018, Banksy's Girl with Balloon was the last artwork to be sold at Sotheby's Contemporary Art Evening Auction with an estimate of £200,000-300,000. After hammering the artwork was then shredded in front of the audience making it the first piece of contemporary art created during auction.

The following morning Banksy released a video on Instagram revealing how the stunt was created and the new name for the piece ‘Love Is In The Bin’. The following year the piece was put back into auction through Sotheby’s where it achieved the impressive sum of £18.6 million.