Banksy, and art’s uneasy alliance with capitalism
There’s always been an understood link between art and capitalism. Even artists who reject the very nature of capitalism will still be part of this process, whether they like it or not.
This includes the popular, controversial and mysterious graffiti artist known as Banksy.
A product of Bristol, England’s underground scene, this person’s name and identity has never been revealed. Several possibilities have been suggested, including Robin Gunningham (former student at Bristol Cathedral Choir School), Robert Del Naja (graffiti artist and co-founder of the band Musical Attack) and Jamie Hewlett (comic book artist and co-founder of the band Gorillaz). It could be a female artist, too.
For now, it’s a mystery.