Okay, Okay - So THIS is Banksy

The ebay auction that was supposedly removed a couple of days ago has taken some strange twists and turns . . .


First of all, rumors have begun swirling that the entire escapade was another stunt arranged by Banksy.

And then, the ebay seller who had the listing is now claiming that it was not removed, but that he was 'paid off' to take the listing down. He cryptically wrote to Moviefone "I spent 3 years finding the answer. I was paid off, now I can tell you nothing. All I can give you is this photograph."

So there it is. Banksy.

Eh, the seller's story seems unlikely as the bidding had reached $1,000,000--it would have to be quite a buy-out to be sweeter than that. Whatever the outcome of the Banksy identity debacle, MELROSEandFAIRFAX will be sure to keep the status posted.

MelroseandFairfax Reveals Banksy's Identity!

^Banksy's self-portrait.

Yesterday, ebay removed a listing which offered to sell Banksy's identity to the highest bidder. The seller claims to have determined the stencil artist's identity based on tax records. The bidding had reached $1,000,000 when it was pulled.

Well, ebay might not want you to have the scoop, but MELROSEandFAIRFAX can provide links to Banksy's purported identity.

Sometimes it is better when heroes remain mysterious. If you want to know, click the link to find out~



^The Brian Sewell Art Directory claims that this is a picture of Robert Banks-who is Banksy, and that the photo has been verified.

^On the other hand, Peter Dean Rickards is a photographer who documented a Banksy installation in Jamaica years ago. When Peter had a falling out with the artist, he turned and sold a photograph to the London Evening Standard which he claims is a photo of Banksy at work.

It has been well documented that Banksy uses a street team for installations, so these pictures might be of members of Banksy's team, not the man himself.

The truth is, we would rather not know. We love the mystery, and feel that it is more powerful to let the art do the talking.