The interwebs was all aflutter today with news that elusive graffiti artist, political activist, film director, painter and long time fugitive that for years has gone by the pseudonymous name of Banksy, was arrested early this morning by London’s Metropolitan Police. According to reports, after hours of questioning and a raid of his London art studio, his true name and identity have finally been revealed. A video was even produced purporting to reveal Banksy’s real identity:
According to reports:
“…The City of London Police say Banksy’s real name is Paul Horner, a 35-year old male born in Liverpool, England. London Police Chief Lyndon Edwards held a press conference to answer questions about Banksy and how Horner was finally apprehended after all these years on the run. “We had a 24-hour Anti-Graffiti Task Force monitoring different groups where Banksy was known to frequent. We received word that around 2am a group of individuals left a flat speculated to be one of Banky’s art studios. This group was followed by agents and once vandalism had occurred, we then arrested the group, 5 men total. These individuals all had ID on them except for one, and that is the one we believed to be Banksy,” Edwards said.”
(ABOVE: A mugshot CLAIMING to have been taken by London Police today of Paul Horner AKA Banksy.)
“We then raided the studio where this group was last seen leaving from. Inside we found thousands of dollars of counterfeit money along with future projects of vandalism. We also found a passport and ID of a Paul Horner who matched the description of the man that we are currently holding.” Edwards continued, “Horner is currently being held without bail on charges of vandalism, conspiracy, racketeering and counterfeiting. We are also holding the other four individuals whose names we are not releasing at this time.”
(ABOVE: According to reports, this is a photo of Banksy, AKA Paul Horner, seen here being taken into police custody.)
Despite the “if it’s on the internet, it must be true” adage, we immediately smelled HOAX, so did a bit of digging (our mascot Fido is good at that). It didn’t take long (30 seconds in fact), to rule this out as a not-very-elaborate fake. We reached out to Banksy’s PR agent Jo Brooks, who confirmed the hoax in 3 simple words:
@JDBeauvallet it’s a hoax — jo brooks (@brightonseagull) October 20, 2014
Banksy’s identity was long speculated to be Robin Gunningham, a man born in Bristol, England in 1973. Known for his contempt for the government in labeling graffiti as vandalism, Banksy displays his art on public walls and even goes as far as to build physical prop pieces. He does not sell his work directly; however, art auctioneers have been known to attempt to sell his street art on location and leave the problem of its removal in the hands of the winning bidder.
So we can all breath a big sigh of relief… inhale, exhale… Banksy is still a mystery. Someone. Somewhere. Phew.
And don’t forget, if you’re looking for a piece of original art to hang on your walls, check out artFido HERE!
Common sense should prevail .. he is a millionaire artist who obviously pays taxes on his main stream art .. therefor the system knows who Banksy is even if the average burger muncher on the street doesnt .
La pensée ne s’arrête pas …!
idk ,,,, if you look in the photo, theres the head of a little girl that is exactly the face of a Banksy piece here in new orleans. jus saying. and i agree, anaconda (NM) is vulgar
I remember seeing in Banksy’s Video….
I do not think its a hoax! The real Banksy in his video was showing the guy
filming his box of counterfeited money! That proves it is him I think!
This dude is way overrated. No talent whatsoever.
It’s called satire. If it’s on the national report you know it’s not for real
It is banks they just want u to think it’s not just to make money of his work.
pathetic fake
If he does get bagged, Maybe those noveau riche types who are removing chunks of walls to get an original piece might chip in on his bail and courts costs. just saying
I wonder if they have considered the idea that Banksy isn’t one person but a collective of artists.
well..actually..it does make sense..
Arrest Paul Homer for being a loser.. Let the Artists run free!
Photoshop Level: 900000
wtf my 90 years old grandmar is better in photoshop!
It’s not a “hoax.” It originated as a satirical article on National Report…a SATIRICAL NEWS SOURCE. Check yo facts. It’s not that hard to find.
one he is from Bristol and is biggest down fall is hes a Bristol City fan
HAHA !
And I,m Bart
So, the whole point of this article is that this is a story about nothing?
Really? Sorry but does anybody really even care anymore? Don’t get me wrong, I love his work, but he has sold out a bit in the last 5 or so years..
IF the London police catch Banksy, it would be a blow to the community. Almost like revealing a super heroes identity, without his anonimity hes just a person like you and me and that’s the way the government would like us to stay
It ain’t Banksy. The cops are twats.
Way to click-bait your readers in wasting time reading your non-article, Artfido.
It wasn’t meant to be clickbait when they posted it. It was updated afterwards when they learned more.
i’m imagining that I’m hearing the posts below in an English accent, and that amuses me.
no one cares
This is probably THE best photoshop work I have ever seen in my life, congrats lol
Nice fake “mugshot” complete with photoshopped background/traced hair.
Graffiti on private property is a criminal act. Doesn’t matter if you’re good at it or not. Why not do it with companies and homes who want that art on their property? Because there’s a high to chase. Of course other matters can be dealt with more vigour by the police than this one, but don’t tell me Banksy isn’t doing anything wrong. Try scrubbing it off over a period of a week and spend money on getting it taken off before commenting.
orrrr keep it up?
If you are removing a Banksy piece of graffiti then you’re an idiot, if it can be confirmed as a true Banksy piece, the property that the piece is on will raise in value considerably.
Sure, but increase in property value does not necessarily equal:
– “good” art.
– something that fits in with the identity of a business.
– legal activity
You’re insinuating the artist should be allowed to do whatever he wants to any property belonging to anyone, in whatever quantity and quality he wishes because he has achieved fame.
It’s anarchy you fool. These corporations are doing the same thing by blasting their advertisements all over the place without our permission. Yin and Yang
They pay to display their advertisements in public places. You don’t own that property. Government and businesses do. Advertisements are shit, but pasting art and graffiti and other stuff you think is “cool” on walls owned by small business owners (who need to pinch pennies and don’t have time or money or resources to deal with this activity) or on the walls of your home is unnecessary. It’s passive aggressive. And if he has the balls to put that up on someone’s walls, why not reveal himself? Afraid of being caught?
“If graffiti changed anything – it would be illegal”
London Police has nothing better to do ? Why they don’t for true criminals ? Besides been fake or not, this newa is not giving a good image for this respected police department. If Bansky is a criminal, what about bankers? The World is a fucked up place.
the london police need to up their photoshop game, shit. feather that shit.
Hoaxes are art, man. Art!
I’m glad it’s fake, but if they got chance they’ll arrest him and there is a problem. Why the fuck the don’t arrest vulgar assholes lik Nicki Minay or Justin Bieber? They’re not artists and Banksy is you little pricks.
you should be glad being vulgar is no reason for arrest :)
Vulgarity is relative. Everyone should be glad.
Thanks for nothing, Penis. She was hot and 19 and you just couldn’t deal.
F*CK VULGARITY!
*flushes these hack hoaxers down the platinum standard Toilet ov Hell*
Way to go officers. So glad you caught this “hardened criminal.” Sheesh
Bitch that still not going to make your fucking crystal shine…
umm wow. lol
Fake, Banksy would never let himself arrest. until the very end of his life-long work …