The British artist Banksy, who is in part famous for being anonymous, has seemingly been unmasked \u2013 again. On March 13, Reuters published an investigation that claims to have \u201crevealed, beyond dispute, Banksy\u2019s true identity\u201d. <\/p>\n
This is not the first time Banksy\u2019s identity<\/a> has ostensibly been made public. In addition to previous journalistic inquiries also cited by Reuters<\/a>, an academic article titled Tagging Banksy: Using Geographic Profiling to Investigate a Modern Art Mystery<\/a> was published in Journal of Spatial Science almost ten years ago to the day the Reuters story came out.<\/p>\n The article used a mathematical method that looked at where Banksy\u2019s graffiti appeared to figure out where the artist might live and work, and their results pointed to a specific person as likely being the artist. I argued at the time<\/a> that the authors\u2019 decision to publish the name of a person they believe to be Banksy was ethically problematic. It seemed to serve no scholarly purpose and to have primarily been done to attract media attention to what is otherwise a niche academic study.<\/p>\n The Reuters investigation comes across as a thoroughly researched piece of journalism. However, the investigation\u2019s detailed account of how Banksy was ostensibly identified leaves another question unanswered: how does exposing Banksy\u2019s identity benefit the public?<\/p>\n The power of anonymity<\/p>\n The Reuters investigation claims<\/a> that \u201cthe public has a deep interest in understanding the identity and career of a figure with his profound and enduring influence on culture, the art industry and international political discourse\u201d. I disagree.<\/p>\n Banksy\u2019s career and cultural influence are already well documented. It is not clear how naming the person behind the mask provides significant additional insights into their work or impact. <\/p>\n The longstanding mystery about Banksy\u2019s identity has played an important role in building the myth of a larger-than-life figure whose work could turn up anywhere at any time. Banksy\u2019s work is conceptually, technically and contextually accomplished \u2013 and often socially relevant. But it is the myth surrounding the artist that continues to inspire a fascination that goes beyond individual artworks. Anonymity and secrecy are fundamental to the artist\u2019s oeuvre.<\/p>\n Some art experts have questioned the intentions of the investigation<\/p>\n The Reuters investigation argues that Banksy is a public figure and as such is \u201csubject to scrutiny, accountability, and, sometimes, unmasking\u201d. However, as noted by a commenter in a Reddit discussion<\/a> started by one of the Reuters journalists, it is not clear \u201chow naming him somehow increases his transparency or accountability\u201d. <\/p>\n On a practical level, anonymity has made it possible for Banksy to create work around the world without much interference from authorities or, indeed, fans. The attention given to a London builder<\/a> previously \u201cidentified\u201d as Banksy (though this was later disproved) suggests that the latter group could make life difficult for the artist, as well as anyone else bearing the legal name now attributed to Banksy by Reuters.<\/p>\n At least as important, though, is that anonymity enables the public to project their own ideas on to both artist and artwork. For example, it has been suggested that Banksy might be a woman<\/a>. <\/p>\n As cultural studies scholar Sofia Pinto has pointed out<\/a>, this idea may rest on stereotypical notions of what constitutes feminine traits in culture and art. This includes the artist\u2019s focus on social justice and \u201ccapacity for imagining being in someone else\u2019s shoes\u201d<\/a>. However, the point is not Banksy\u2019s actual gender. It is rather that the artist\u2019s anonymity allows viewers to speculate and fill in the blanks. <\/p>\n The idea that Banksy could be anyone surely has broadened the artist\u2019s appeal and may also have inspired people who do not look like \u2013 or have the same background as \u2013 Banksy to engage in street art or other creative endeavours.<\/p>\n The Reuters journalists have quoted German art historian Ulrich Blanch\u00e9, who likens the search for Banksy\u2019s identity to a treasure hunt<\/a>. While this metaphor may seem apt, a treasure hunt does not necessarily entail taking the whole treasure for yourself \u2013 especially if doing so spoils the fun for everyone else. <\/p>\n