The Facts, Myths and Legends About Banksy

An Infographic by STUDIO 41 THE FACTS, LEGENDS & MYTHS ABOUT PAAY BANKSY WAS BORN .OR WAS IT IN 74? 1973 The mystery surrounding the british artist banksy has become almost as famous as the art he creates. Very little is known about the elusive street artist, he is reportedly either, robert banks or robin gunningham, born in bristol in 1973 or 74. THE MILD MILD WEST 90'S Banksy began as a freehand graffiti artists in the early 90s, originally part of the Drybreadz crew with Kato and Tes. Some of Banksy's early work included stencils but it was mostly larger murals painted free hand. AGE 18 CUTTING STENCILS & CUTTING TIME Banksy revealed that he first realised the potential of using stencils whilst hiding from the brtiish transport police underneath a dump truck. Lying with oil dripping onto him he noticed the stencilled letters underneath and realised how quick these would be to spray. 2000 LONDON BOUND In the early 2000's banksy reportedly moved to London, spraying painting around the capital and staging outdoor exhibitions his profile started to grow both in and out of the grafitti scene. BANKSY VS THE TATE 2003 Banksy, disguised as a pensioner, hangs a piece of his own work in the Tate London 2.5 HOURS Due to poor ON THE WALL glue quality BANKSY of England 2004 In 2004 banksy produced a spoof £10 note swapping the Queen's head for Diana, Princess of £10 Wales's Head and the text 'Banksy of England'. Distributing them at festivals and carnivals where people unknowingly tried to spend them as real notes. BANKSY and the WEST BANK BARRIER 2005 Already known for his artwork's political and social commentary banksy continued to rise to even more prominence, when in 2005 he visited Israel and the West Bank Barrier, risking the armed patrols banksy painted nine murals along the 200+ mile wall. 2006 BARELY LEGAL Banksy holds his first LA exhibition, Barely Legal, the centre of the event being a real life 'elephant in the room' painted bright pink and patterned to blend in with the living room wallpaper. BANKSY'S WORK HITS NEW RECORDS 2007 £102,000 Banksy latest work once again takes Sotheby's by storm, this time his highest sale figure being £102,000. BANKSY BRISTOL MUSEUM 2009 Banksy returns to his hometown by taking over Bristol Mueseum and hosting a free exhibition for the city. The exhbition which featured hundreds of prints, original pieces and scultpures, was hugely popular with 5 hour queues to get in on most days. EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP 2010 In 2009 Banksy released a full length documentary. Originally started by a French entrepreneur turned Street Artist, Thierry Guetta, who was trying to track down and work with the elusive street artist. But Banksy took over the project deciding it was actually more interesting to follow Guetta's rise a street artist. HIGH PRAISE & MASKED ACCEPTANCE 2011 monkey mask.Despite his reputation for keeping his identity secret and shunning the press Banksy stepped nito the limelight once again being nominated for a host of awards, including an oscar for his 2010 critically acclaiemd documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop. Banksy's representatives were reportedly denied the opportunity for him to attend the awards wearing his famous monkey mask. 2013 BETTER OUT THAN IN In 2013 Banksy hit the streets of new York for a one-month long street art campaign - work included street art pieces, sculptures and live pieces including a maket stall selling original Banksy stencils for $60 to see who would buy a piece for the art alone. 2014 AND ONWARDS.. 2013 was a busy year for Banksy, since then he has bought public surveillance themed pieces to the streets of the UK, and part of the Better Out Than In installation to Glastonbury. The street art world looks forward eagerly to see where he will strike next! STUDIO 41 An Infographic by www.studio-41.co.uk