Uncovering Banksy

Who is Banksy? It is a question that has taunted the art world for two decades.As a graffiti-artist, he has committed criminal damage. Which is why I’m including him in Behind the Crimes.I uncovered a ‘lost’ interview with the secretive stenciller.When researching the artist’s background, I came across an old report which had lain in a tape archive for more than a decade and a half. Even the journalist who had interviewed the then-unknown Banksy had forgotten about it - even though he had seen the artist’s face without a mask.Today, Banksy could genuinely claim to be the world’s most famous artist. Some of his work sells for tens of millions of dollars.But no-one knows what he looks like.So this ‘lost’ interview I discovered has now become an important part of modern art history.When I found it I had no idea it would set me on a trail that would lead to direct contact with the artist himself.In this one-off special, I’m telling you the story behind the discovery.For more: subscribe at robertmurphy.substack.com This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe