Banksy Girl and Heart Balloon, credit : Dominic Robinson via wikipedia
Parliamentary lobbyist Joy Millward, reportedly married to the anonymous street artist Banksy, is making headlines as her husband, Robin Gunningham, faces legal action in a High Court case. Millward, a former Labour Party staffer, has managed to keep a low public profile despite her husband's notoriety.
Robin Gunningham, aged 50, is currently named as the first defendant in a lawsuit against 'The Artist known as Banksy.' The couple's relationship began around 2003, with a discreet Las Vegas wedding in 2006. They are known for maintaining a secretive lifestyle, even with their closest neighbors being unaware of their true identities.
This recent legal battle may potentially compel Banksy to reveal his true identity. Andrew Gallagher, a prominent figure in the rave and graffiti scene, is suing 'The Artist Known as Banksy' for defamation. Pest Control Ltd, responsible for selling Banksy's artworks, is also involved as a co-defendant. Despite the confidential nature of the case details, the court hearing could inadvertently disclose Banksy's closely guarded secret.
Over the years, numerous public figures have been linked to Banksy's identity, but Robin Gunningham, a pop-up artist from Bristol, has notably kept a low profile. Scientists from Queen Mary University once attempted to establish a connection between Gunningham and graffiti in Jamaica in 2004, but the evidence was inconclusive, with both Banksy and Gunningham's parents denying the link. Nevertheless, observers noted a resemblance between a photograph from 1989, featuring pupils from Bristol Cathedral School (including Gunningham), and the man in the graffiti photograph.
Gunningham, the son of a contract manager and secretary, grew up in Bristol's Clifton area with aspirations of becoming an artist. He was described as highly talented in art during his school years, but he pursued a somewhat nomadic lifestyle as a graffiti artist, causing a rift within his family.
In 1985, Bristol's Arnolfini Gallery hosted a graffiti art exhibition, where artists spray-painted directly onto gallery walls, and the hip hop band The Wild Bunch (later becoming Massive Attack) performed. Banksy himself cited the influence of this graffiti scene on his artistic journey.
Banksy gained recognition with his 2001 exhibition in Shoreditch and became a mainstream success with his Turf War show a few years later. His artwork, including "The Girl with Balloon," achieved international acclaim, and his documentary film "Exit Through The Gift Shop" was nominated for an Academy Award in 2010. In 2015, Banksy created the subversive theme park "Dismaland" in Weston-super-Mare, known for its provocative and satirical art pieces.
Selena Mattei