New revelation in Banksy's unmasking with wedding certificate 'revealed'
It's a mystery which has alluded Brits for decades, but some claim to know Banksy's true identity despite there being no concrete evidence.
In all fairness, he could reveal himself tomorrow and fans would think it was a ploy from the world-famous artist to throw us off.
But celebrities in the past have been accused of accidentally revealing Banksy's legal name, while it's been claimed that he's been photographed by his work too.
Some publications have spent years digging into existing claims of evidence, though the artist's lawyer stated that they do 'not accept' the latest claims from Reuters, who claim to have 'unmasked' the British legend.
Advert
The fact of the matter is keeping your true identity a secret is a tough ask, especially when you're one of the world's most renowned artists.
Banksy has left his mark in London, Paris, Los Angeles, and Bethlehem over the years, and while the publication claimed that the man behind the mysterious art is David Jones, formerly Robin Gunningham, as he changed his name in 2008.
They even unearthed an alleged signed confession from Gunningham after he was arrested in New York back in 2000 after he vandalised a billboard.
With claims that he is the man behind it all, it appears that a 'world famous' chapel known as 'Chapel of the Bells' in Las Vegas, may recently have hosted the artist's 20th anniversary of his wedding in Sin City.
That is, if the Daily Mail is to believed, with the publication writing that they had outed Banksy as Gunningham in 2008.
Chapel of the Bells was reportedly the location back on 2 January 2006, when Bansky married his girlfriend, political researcher Joy Millward, who worked for the Labour MP Austin Mitchell.
Their State of Nevada wedding certificate has allegedly been obtained by The Mail On Sunday, claiming that Banksy used his 'real name' Robin Gunningham in the ceremony with Millward.
This was before his apparent name change, as it's said that the artist lives with his partner in rural Sumerset, where he is simply known by neighbours as 'David' or 'Mr Jones', say the publication.
While they claim that he has even been seen walking with sunglasses through the nearby village, it's said that he leads a quiet life in the southwest.
Responding to the Reuters investigation, Banksy's lawyer Mark Stephens remarked that the artist doesn't accept the details in the investigation, saying that sharing the alleged findings would 'violate the artist’s privacy, interfere with his art and put him in danger'.
He has said for years that the Brit has been 'subjected to fixated, threatening and extremist behaviour', adding: "It protects freedom of expression by allowing creators to speak truth to power without fear of retaliation, censorship or persecution."
Stephens said there is a benefit to working under a pseudonym as it 'serves vital societal interests'.
"It protects freedom of expression by allowing creators to speak truth to power without fear of retaliation, censorship or persecution - particularly when addressing sensitive issues such as politics, religion or social justice," he concluded.
Joshua Nair