A gaffe may have revealed Banksy's identity

A sensational gaffe may have revealed to the world the identity of Banksy, the famous British writer and global star of contemporary art, who has carried out his entire career under the banner of strictest anonymity. On Tuesday night, during an interview with the British podcast Distraction Pieces, DJ Goldie, while talking about Banksy, let slip a person’s name. The phrase, which can be heard shortly after minute 36 of the podcast recording on the Distraction Pieces website, reads, “Give me a bubble letter and put it on a t-shirt and write ’Banksy’ on it and we’re sorted. We can sell it now. No disrespect to Robert, I think he is a brilliant artist, I think he has flipped the world of art over” (“We can take a comic book letter, put it on a t-shirt, write ’Banksy’ on it, and we’re sorted. We can sell it right away. No disrespect to Robert, I think he’s a brilliant artist, I think he’s completely turned the art world upside down.”). A sharp pause is then heard, after which the DJ changes the subject.

According to many, Goldie’s gaffe would confirm rumors that Banksy is actually the musician Robert Del Naja, leader of Massive Attack-a rumor that has become increasingly persistent in recent months (many have noted that the Bristol-based writer’s appearances often correspond with tour dates of Massive Attack, a lineup moreover originally from Banksy’s own city). All the more so now, not least because Goldie and Del Naja are friends. However, the singer (close to the graffiti world, and a writer himself) has always denied any association with Banksy’s name. But will this really be a slip of the tongue, or is it rather aclever move to get both the artist and the musician discussed and to thicken this halo of “legend” around the elusive figure of the writer? Or are we close to the unraveling of Banksy’s identity, which some speculate could also be a collective led by Robert Del Naja? We have no confirmation yet, but there is enough material to stimulate the imaginations of fans and art and music enthusiasts.

Image: Banksy, Balloon girl (2002). Ph. Credit Dominic Robinson

A gaffe may have revealed Banksy's identity

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