BANKSY’S true identity could be revealed in just days as the mysterious artist faces a High Court battle.
The graffiti artist – whose work has gained him worldwide fame – is the subject of legal action accusing him of defamation.
Graffiti pioneer Andrew Gallagher, 56, filed the lawsuit – but his lawyer, Aaron Wood of Brandsmiths, previously told MailOnline: “I’m not at liberty to say any more about the claim.”
Now, Banksy has filed defence documents at the High Court – which is an unexpected move as he was expected to concede the lawsuit to avoid revealing his true identity.
His co-defendant is Pest Control Ltd – the company which sells Banksy’s art.
Banksy’s work has been spotted around the south of England, including London, and Bristol, although his art has often popped up in prominent international locations.
Although many people have tried to guess who he is, his identity has never been revealed.
In 2008, it was alleged that Banksy is Bristol-born artist Robin Gunningham.
Banksy first came to notice for spray-painting trains and walls in his home city of Bristol during the early 1990s.
Street art and graffiti can be considered criminal damage, so initially it is thought the artist chose to be anonymous to avoid a run-in with the law.
Other reports have suggested that he could be artist and musician Robert del Naja, another graffiti artist and member of the Bristol arts collective The Wild Bunch.
Art Attack presenter Neil Buchanan denied he was Banksy in 2020, after a bizarre conspiracy theory about his identity swept the internet.
