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 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
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 - "Visit historic Pales" - color offset lithography - dry stamp
By Banksy
Located in Winterswijk, NL
Shipping costs are calculated individually. This poster was created by Banksy exclusively for the Walled Off Hotel. It is available exclusively at the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem a...
Paper, Color
Banksy Dismaland Official Program Book, Street Art Souvenir, 2015
By Banksy
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Very collectible souvenir book, Banksy’s Dismaland Official Program. Dismaland was an amusement park like setting art show conceived and curated by Banksy in Weston Super Mare. It ha...
Magazine Paper
$2,498
H 11.5 in W 16.5 in
Mark Drew "They Say Rap's Changed" Print Dr. Dre & Snoop Dog Silkscreen Print
By Mark Drew
Located in Draper, UT
Mark Drew is an acclaimed artist known for his unique fusion of music and visual art. Hailing from a background deeply rooted in the world of hip-hop and urban culture, Drew brings h...
Screen
Sold|$2,800
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
$1,025
H 10 in W 14 in D 2 in
OMG 3 - Abstract Contemporary Unique Abstract Resin Text Wall Sculpture Artwork
By Nayla Saroufim
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Nayla Saroufim creates sculptural installations that challenge the traditional notion of the passive viewer. Nayla’s art is a rich mix of media. She was always captivated by the dial...
Resin, Mixed Media
$1,500
H 32 in W 8.5 in D 2 in
Os Gêmeos Skateboard Street Contemporary Graffiti Edition of 300 Silkscreened
By Os Gêmeos
Located in Draper, UT
Edition of 300. Museum of Graffiti exclusive. OSGEMEOS (b. 1974, São Paulo, Brazil), translated as “THE TWINS”, Gustavo and Otavio Pandolfo, have worked together since birth. As children growing up in the streets of the traditional district of Cambuci (SP), they developed a distinct way of playing and communicating through artistic language. With the encouragement of their family, and the introduction of Hip Hop culture in Brazil in the 1980s, OSGEMEOS found a direct connection to their dynamic and magical world and a way to communicate with the public. Guided mainly by their willpower, together they explored with dedication and care the various techniques of painting, drawing and sculpture, and had the streets as their place of study. Artist: Os gemeos Limited edition of only 300 Skateboards Released by Graffiti Of Museum only released during Art Basel 2023...
Screen
$500
H 5.25 in Dm 5 in
Wounaan Tribe Panama Rainforest Basket, brown, white and black geometric design
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Wounaan Tribe Panama Rainforest Basket, brown, white and black geometric design hand woven palm fiber and vegetal dye Estelina Morales The baskets are made by the Wounaan and Embera...
Organic Material
$1,400
H 16 in W 20 in D 1.75 in
Patrick Sansone, Club Diamond, 2023, Lambda C Print, Ed 1/10, Street Photography
By Patrick Sansone
Located in Darien, CT
Patrick Sansone uses analog cameras and film to create photographs that reference stillness, lure, and intermission. Decaying signage, abandoned indust...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, C Print, Color, Lambda
Butterfly Basket, Wounaan Tribe, Panama, Rainforest, black, red, green, white
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Butterfly Basket, Wounaan Tribe, Panama, Rainforest, black, red, green, white The baskets are made by the Wounaan and Embera Indians from the Darien ...
Organic Material
$1,000
H 7.09 in W 4.72 in
Peckham Rock British Museum 2005 Street Art Urban Pop Contemporary Stunt
By Banksy
Located in Draper, UT
A wooden replica of Banksy's "Peckham Rock" wall art. "Banksy's 'Peckham Rock' is a piece of concrete showing a supposed prehistoric figure pushing a shopping trolley. This was plac...
Wood
$210Sale Price|30% Off
H 11.8 in W 9.2 in
D*Face The Monograph Signed Book, Street Art, 21st Century, Paper
By D*Face
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Great looking book with great graphics by UK artist D*Face. Large hand signed signature on the inside of book with date in black ink by D*face. 240 color pages. Bound in halftone har...
Paper
$675
H 4.75 in W 6.75 in D 5.25 in
Wounaan Tribe Panama Rainforest Basket, gold, black, red geometric hand woven
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Wounaan Tribe Panama Rainforest Basket, gold, black, red geometric hand woven natural dyes The baskets are made by the Wounaan and Embera Indians from the Darien Rainforest in Panam...
Organic Material
$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
Kate Moss (Crude Oils), Print on Card, 2005
By Banksy
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Kate Moss (Crude Oils), Print on Card, 2005 Rare promotional card from Banksy's now infamous 2005 Crude Oils exhibition (14th - 24th October 2005). The piece features an image of Ka...
Postcard
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