Of the numerous feats that Banksy has accomplished over the course of his career as an international artist, activist and filmmaker, perhaps the most astonishing is that while he is among the most famous figures in street art, he has managed to remain completely anonymous.
There is a method behind the madness, however. Banksy maintains that he chooses to conceal his identity to make a more democratic impact with his work, the themes of which include criticism of world leaders, consumerism and terrorism.
Although not much is known about Banksy — he sent a photo of himself with a paper bag on his head to Time magazine for a profile — it is believed that he was born in the city of Bristol, in southwest England, circa 1974. Wit, irreverence, dark humor and activism come together in his work, which spans graffiti, paintings, prints, sculptures and filmmaking. (His film, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which focuses on another street artist known as Mr. Brainwash, was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2010 Academy Awards.)
Banksy began as a graffiti artist in his hometown in the early 1990s. He has found fame for his stenciled and spray-painted pieces, which are most often rooted in anti-war or antiestablishment messaging, appearing in cities such as London, New York and Los Angeles and for his “stunts” that are intended to subvert and provoke the art world. One particularly memorable stunt took place in 2018, when, as soon as one of his paintings sold at auction — Girl with a Balloon, which fetched an extraordinary $1.4 million — it self-destructed and proceeded to partially shred itself. Banksy even snuck into the Louvre and hung his own version of the Mona Lisa in 2006. Despite his elusive persona and commitment to bringing art to the masses, Banksy is one of the most coveted artists at auctions across the world.
And his work is undeniably impactful.
At a record-breaking auction organized by Damien Hirst, Bono and others to benefit AIDS charities in 2008, Banksy’s Keep It Spotless — a modified Hirst painting — fetched nearly $2 million. In May of 2020, Banksy donated Game Changer, a painting that honors UK healthcare workers, to Southampton General Hospital. When it went to auction in 2021, it sold for more than $23 million at Christie's in London. All proceeds went to the National Health Service.
Find original Banksy art for sale on 1stDibs.
Banksy Existencilism Mini Book, Self-Published, 2002
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Pocket sized book by Banksy. Released in 2002. This is Banksy's second book in the series. He released 3 books in this mini black book format in the 2000's (Banging Your Head Against...
Paper
Cut It Out Mini Book by Banksy, Mini Book, Self Published, 72 Pages, 2004
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Super cool and collectible Banksy Cut It Out Mini Book. Released in 2004. Must have for the Banksy collector. Last in the series of 3 books released in mini black book format in the ...
Paper
Banksy Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall, Mini Book, Self Published, 2001
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Very cool and collectible book, Banksy’s Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall. Released in 2001. This is Banksy's first book. He released 3 books in this mini black book format in ...
Paper
$2,950
Welcome Mat
By Banksy
Located in Toronto, Ontario
Banksy (b. 1974) is a pseudonymous street-artist and political activist whose real name and identity remain the subject of speculation. "Welcome Mat" is a sculptural/ephemera work c...
Organic Material
$1,275
H 10.5 in W 9 in D 5 in
KAWS 2019 "Along the Way" Gray Set of two vinyl figures from Medicom Toy Corp.
By KAWS
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Along the Way" set of two gray painted vinyl figures from open edition released in 2019 by artist KAWS (a.k.a. Brian Donnelly) in original box from Medico...
Vinyl
$3,500
H 37 in W 37 in D 2 in
Beverly Hills Ice-Cream Festival 3D Mixed Media Art, Framed, 37x37 IN
By Mauro Oliveira
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
**NEW YEAR FINAL 90 DAYS SALE UNTIL MARCH 31ST** **STORE CLOSURE - UP TO 80% OFF - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT** **EVERYTHING MUST GO UNTIL APRIL1ST!** ***FRAME INCL...
Resin, Plastic, Acrylic, Wood Panel
$224Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.99 in Dm 10.24 in
Green Portrait with Struck-Through Text, Conceptual Figurative. Currency #268
By Natasha Lelenco
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This circular portrait combines vibrant green and violet tones with conceptual text intervention to explore identity, legibility, and symbolic erasure. Painted in acrylic on a round ...
Wood, Acrylic
"As Above" Figurative Sculpture 8 x 7 in Ed. of 5 by Colin Burn
By Colin Burn
Located in Culver City, CA
"As Above" Figurative Sculpture 8 x 7 in Ed. of 5 by Colin Burn Limited Edition Crystal Vagina Sculpture Edition: 5 Artist Proof: 1/1 The As Above sculpture is a life-cast resin...
Stone
Limited edition Basquiat spray paint can
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Limited Edition Jean-Michel Basquiat spray paint can published circa 2017 featuring the Estate trademark of Jean-Michel Basquiat. A unique Basquiat collectible that makes for a fanta...
Metal
Rude Snowman
By Banksy
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Offset lithograph on card 5.75 x 7.00 in (14.6 x 17.8 cm) Plate signed 'BANKSY', verso. Item is a christmas card and is open edition.
Cardboard
"So Below" Figurative Sculpture 8 x 6 in Ed. of 5 by Colin Burn
By Colin Burn
Located in Culver City, CA
"So Below" Figurative Sculpture 8 x 6 in Ed. of 5 by Colin Burn Medium: Resin Life Cast, Candy Paint, Quartz Crystal Limited Edition Crystal Vagina Sculpture Edition of 5 Edition: A...
Stone
$1,250
H 24 in W 12 in
Shepard Fairey "Sub-Standard" Silkscreen Print Street Contemporary Art Dove
By Shepard Fairey
Located in Draper, UT
"This print is a comment on the relationship between corporate greed, fossil fuels, and the warming of the planet and collapsing ecosystems. Standard operating, pushed by players lik...
Screen
$275
H 3.5 in W 3.75 in
1980s Keith Haring Pop Stickers stickers (vintage Keith Haring Pop Shop)
By Keith Haring
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Keith Haring Three Eyed Smiling Face & Crawling Baby stickers: Set of 3 stickers circa early mid 80s. Originally given out at Haring's first solo exhibit in 1982 and later sold at Haring's New York Pop Shop circa the mid 1980s. Medium: Vintage self-adhesive stickers featuring original design by Keith Haring; offset printed. 3 to 4 inches square in size (applies to each individually). Very Good vintage condition for all. Would look fantastic framed as a set. Keith Haring Pop...
Paper, Adhesive, Other Medium
$2,950
H 35 in Dm 35 in
Seashell-Encrusted Round Mirror, Contemporary Mixed Media Art
By Mauro Oliveira
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
**NEW YEAR FINAL 90 DAYS SALE UNTIL MARCH 31ST** **STORE CLOSURE - UP TO 80% OFF - TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IT** **EVERYTHING MUST GO UNTIL APRIL1ST!** >>The artist ...
Glass, Resin, Wood, Acrylic
$307Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.99 in Dm 10.24 in
Inverted Monochrome Moldovan Portrait with Red Blue Circular Field. Currency 270
By Natasha Lelenco
Located in FISTERRA, ES
This inverted monochrome Moldovan portrait by Natasha Lelenco, part of her ongoing Exchange Currencies series (I’m Sorry, I’m Not From Here), is an acrylic painting on a circular pin...
Wood, Acrylic
$575
H 11 in W 8.5 in
Post-Graffiti Catalog Sidney Janis Gallery NY 1983 (Basquiat Keith Haring 1983)
By Jean-Michel Basquiat
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Post-Graffiti Catalog, Sidney Janis Gallery, New York, Dec. 1 - 31, 1983: Published on the occasion of "Post-Graffiti" at Sidney Janis Gallery, New York, Dec. 1 - 31, 1983, featuring works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Daze, Keith Haring, Lady Pink, Angel Ortiz, Kenny Scharf, and other artists. A seminal early New York...
Lithograph, Offset, Paper
Banksy Petrolhead Round Sticker (Framed)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Banksy sticker. Petrolhead. (Petrolhead is an English term that refers to a car enthusiasts). This is Banksy’s commentary on the oil impact that cars have. Also an anti-war message c...
Adhesive, Color
Banksy Clown Sticker (Framed)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Very hard to find Banksy Clown Sticker from 2001. A great early example of Banksy’s art featuring his version of a clown. Banksy created this image as a l...
Adhesive, Color
Banksy Americans Working Overhead 018/BNK/5Y Sticker (Framed)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Ultra cool Banksy sticker resembling a British street sign. The number on the bottom “016/BNK/5Y” is the item number for this sticker. Banksy used number designations in a lot of his...
Adhesive, Color
Banksy More Seating Upstairs Postcard (Framed)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Postcard created by Banksy and published by Pictures On Walls (POW) in 2008. Sometimes incorrectly referred to as “Caveman” or “Fast Food Caveman”. This was rumored to be released as...
Color
One Cut Grand Theft Audio (Double Record)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Very rare Banksy cover art for One Cut Grand Theft Audio record. Released in 2000, very early example of Banksy art. Banksy also used this image for the invitations for his Exitstenc...
Paper
Peckham Rock
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Based on the 2005 concrete sculpture of the stone Peckham Rock sculpture by Banksy. Banksy placed the original sculpture at the British Museum without permission with a official loo...
Wood, Color
Peckham Rock
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Based on the 2005 concrete sculpture of the stone Peckham Rock sculpture by Banksy. Banksy placed the original sculpture at the British Museum without permission with a official loo...
Wood, Color
Blur Crazy Beat (Promo CD)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Very rare promotional version cd of Blur single Crazy Beat featuring Banksy art on the sleeve cover. Public release was in cd case. This cover art was originally painted by Banksy on...
Plastic, Color
Blur Out of Time (CD)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Blur Out Of Time CD featuring cover art by Banksy. Released in 2003. Great early example of Banksy artwork. Printed with “Artwork and direction by Banksy” in credits on inside cover....
Plastic, Color
BANKSY Banging Your Head Against a Brick Wall (Mini Book)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
This piece makes an amazing gift for a Banksy fan or any art lover! This year give a stylish, collectible gift they will remember and cherish for many years. We also offer the optio...
Paper
BANKSY Existencilism (Mini Book)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
This piece makes an amazing gift for a Banksy fan or any art lover! This year give a stylish, collectible gift they will remember and cherish for many years. We also offer the optio...
Paper
BANKSY Cut It Out (Mini Book)
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Super cool and collectible Banksy Cut It Out Mini Book. Released in 2004. Must have for the Banksy collector. Last in the series of 3 books released in mini black book format in the ...
Paper