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
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
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
$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
$65,000
H 7.5 in W 7 in
"Diamond Ambrosia" Figurative Sculpture 7.5 x 7 in Ed. of 3 by Colin Burn
By Colin Burn
Located in Culver City, CA
"Diamond Ambrosia" Figurative Sculpture 7.5 x 7 in Ed. of 3 by Colin Burn Diamond Ambrosia Limited Edition Life-Cast Diamond Sculpture Limited Edition - 3 Only Edition: Artist Proof...
Gold
$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
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
$465,000
H 12 in W 12 in
"Sacred Trove" Figurative Sculpture 12 x 12 in Ed. of 3 by Colin Burn
By Colin Burn
Located in Culver City, CA
"Sacred Trove" Figurative Sculpture 12 x 12 in Ed. of 3 by Colin Burn Limited Edition 44 Carat Diamond Sculpture Edition: Artist Proof 1/1 Limited Edition - 3 Only The Sacred Tro...
Gold
"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
$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
$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
$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
$1,500
H 30 in W 9.75 in D 0.4 in
FAILE - Happens Everyday 1986 Lt. Ed. Silkscreen on Skateboard Deck Skate Deck
By Faile
Located in New York, NY
Faile Happens Everyday 1986, 2018 Silkscreen on 7-Ply Canadian Maplewood Skateboard Deck 30 × 9 3/4 × 3/10 inches Edition: 66 of 150 Signed on the Deck Faile 1986 and hand numbered 6...
Wood, Screen
$1,800
H 9.75 in Dm 10.5 in
Geometric Basket, tan, white, black, Wounaan Tribe, Panama, rainforest, diamonds
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Geometric Basket, tan, white, black, Wounaan Tribe, Panama, rainforest, diamonds Palm fiber and vegetal dyes The baskets are made by the Wounaan and Embera Indians from the Darien Rainforest in Panama. The Wounaan believe they emerged from the palm tree. They weave baskets from palm fiber and use natural dyes. The dyes are made from wood, plants, and earth. Achieving a particular color takes weeks. The rainforest baskets are of the highest quality to be found anywhere in the world. Comparable to the North American Pomo and Panamint baskets, widely considered the best weavers in the world. The Wounaan and Embera are the finest weavers working today. The area in which they live is extremely remote and dangerous to reach. From Panama City...
Organic Material
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