Career Timeline of Banksy: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Banksy built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Banksy is a pseudonymous English street artist, political activist, and film director whose identity remains unconfirmed. Emerging from the Bristol underground scene in the 1990s, Banksy's satirical street art and subversive epigrams blend dark humor with a distinctive stencilling technique. His works, often political and social commentary, appear globally on streets, walls, and bridges. He is known for his graffiti art that provides social commentary.
1 hour ago : Banksy's art market faces test, Girl and Balloon sold for $18M at auction.
Banksy's art market is being tested following the reveal of his identity. 'Girl and Balloon' sold for $18 million in New York, highlighting the artist's continued market strength and value.
1990: Banksy's Graffiti Beginnings
In 1990, Banksy started as a freehand graffiti artist as one of Bristol's DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ).
1993: Banksy Artwork on Cassette Sleeves
In 1993, two cassette sleeves featuring Banksy's artwork for the Bristol band Mother Samosa exist with Robin Gunningham's signature.
1994: Banksy's Graffiti Beginnings
In 1994, Banksy continued as a freehand graffiti artist as one of Bristol's DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ).
1997: The Mild Mild West Mural
In 1997, Banksy's first known large wall mural, The Mild Mild West, was painted in Bristol depicting a teddy bear lobbing a Molotov cocktail at riot police.
2000: Shift to Stencilling
By 2000, Banksy had turned to the art of stencilling to save time, leading to wider recognition around Bristol and London.
2001: Tour to Mexico
In 2001, Banksy toured with the Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls football team to Mexico, where he was the goalkeeper.
July 2002: First Los Angeles Exhibition
On 19 July 2002, Banksy's first Los Angeles exhibition, Existencilism, debuted at 33 1⁄3 Gallery and ran until 18 August, featuring paintings such as Smiley Copper H (2002), Leopard and Barcode (2002), Bomb Hugger (2002), and Love Is in the Air (Banksy) (2002).
2002: Artwork for Greenpeace campaign
In 2002, Banksy produced artwork for the Greenpeace campaign Save or Delete.
2003: Turf War Exhibition
In 2003, Banksy held an exhibition called Turf War in London, where he painted on animals, sparking protests despite RSPCA approval.
2003: Semi-Permanent Exhibition in Sydney
In 2003, Banksy, along with Shepard Fairey, Dmote, and others, created work at a warehouse exhibition in Alexandria, Sydney, for Semi-Permanent, which was attended by approximately 1,500 people.
2003: Mural Commissioned for Blur Single "Crazy Beat"
In 2003, the mural that was later destroyed in September 2009, was commissioned for the 2003 Blur single "Crazy Beat".
August 2004: Spoof Banknotes
In August 2004, Banksy produced spoof British £10 notes with Princess Diana's head, some of which were thrown into a crowd at Notting Hill Carnival, and later sold on eBay.
2004: Napalm Screenprint
In 2004, Banksy created a limited edition screenprint titled Napalm (Can't Beat That Feeling) using the image of Phan Thi Kim Phuc from the 1972 photograph, placing her with Ronald McDonald and Mickey Mouse.
2004: Untitled (2004) Auction
In February 2007, the 'Untitled (2004)' graffiti work was sold for £33,600 at Sotheby's auction in London.
August 2005: West Bank Wall Images
In August 2005, Banksy created nine images on the Israeli West Bank wall during a trip to the Palestinian territories.
2005: London Exhibition
In 2005, Banksy showcased subverted paintings, including Monet's Water Lily Pond and Edward Hopper's Nighthawks, at a twelve-day exhibition in Westbourne Grove, London.
2005: Banksy Critiques Environmental Impact
In 2005, Banksy's work started critiquing the environmental impacts of big businesses. Banksy explained his work Show me the Monet.
September 2006: Barely Legal Exhibition
In September 2006, Banksy held the Barely Legal exhibition in Los Angeles, featuring a live elephant painted in floral wallpaper, and artwork displaying Queen Victoria as a lesbian.
October 2006: Kate Moss Paintings Sale
On 19 October 2006, a set of Kate Moss paintings sold in Sotheby's London for £50,400, setting an auction record for Banksy's work; in December, journalist Max Foster coined the phrase, "the Banksy effect".
January 2007: Tribute to Ozone
In January 2007, Banksy created a tribute artwork for graffiti artist Ozone who died after being hit by a train, depicting an angel with a skull.
February 2007: Auction Records
In February 2007, Sotheby's London auctioned three Banksy works, with Bombing Middle England reaching a record £102,000; other works also sold well above estimates.
February 2007: House with Banksy Mural for Sale
In February 2007, a house in Bristol with a Banksy mural on the side was put up for sale through Red Propeller art gallery.
April 2007: Pulp Fiction Image Painted Over
In April 2007, Transport for London painted over Banksy's Pulp Fiction image, but Banksy repainted it with the actors holding real guns in banana costumes.
April 2007: New Auction Record
On 27 April 2007, Banksy's work Space Girl and Bird set a new auction record, fetching £288,000 at Bonhams in London.
May 2007: Art's Greatest Living Briton Award
In May 2007, Banksy won the award for Art's Greatest Living Briton but did not attend the ceremony.
June 2007: The Drinker Stolen
In June 2007, it was reported that Banksy's The Drinker had been stolen.
October 2007: Bonhams Auction
In October 2007, most of Banksy's works offered for sale at Bonhams auction house in London sold for more than twice their reserve price.
October 2007: Auction Sale of Posters
In October 2007, one of the limited run of 50 signed posters, commemorating the death of Princess Diana, containing ten uncut notes, was sold at Bonhams auction house in London for £24,000.
March 2008: "Take this—Society!" Graffiti
In March 2008, a stencilled graffiti work, widely attributed to Banksy, appeared on a Thames Water tower in London, but was quickly removed by the council.
April 2008: 'One Nation Under CCTV' Painted
In April 2008, Banksy painted 'One Nation Under CCTV'.
May 2008: The Cans Festival
From May 3–5, 2008, Banksy hosted an exhibition called The Cans Festival in London on Leake Street, inviting graffiti artists to paint their own artwork, as long as it did not cover anyone else's.
August 2008: New Orleans Works
In late August 2008, marking the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Banksy produced a series of works in New Orleans, Louisiana.
October 2008: The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill Exhibition Opens
In October 2008, Banksy's first official exhibition in New York City, "The Village Pet Store and Charcoal Grill", opened. The exhibition featured animatronic pets, including a hen watching her baby Chicken McNuggets and a rabbit putting on makeup.
May 2009: Banksy Parts Company with Agent Steve Lazarides
In May 2009, Banksy parted company with agent Steve Lazarides, with Pest Control becoming the only point of sale for new works.
June 2009: Banksy vs Bristol Museum Show Opens
On June 13, 2009, the "Banksy vs Bristol Museum" show opened at Bristol City Museum and Art Gallery, featuring more than 100 works of art and installations, and becoming his largest exhibition yet.
December 2009: Murals on Global Warming
In December 2009, Banksy marked the end of the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference by painting four murals on global warming, including one with the phrase, 'I don't believe in global warming', submerged in water.
2009: "Devolved Parliament" painting creation
In 2009, Banksy created the painting "Devolved Parliament", depicting Members of Parliament as chimpanzees in the House of Commons. This artwork is Banksy's biggest known work on canvas, measuring 4 m (13 ft) wide.
March 2010: Modified 'Forgive Us Our Trespassing' Displayed
In March 2010, a modified version of Banksy's work 'Forgive Us Our Trespassing' was displayed at London Bridge Station, but the halo was repainted by a graffitist. Transport for London then disposed of the poster.
April 2010: Melbourne City Council accidentally paints over Banksy rat stencil
In April 2010, the Melbourne City Council inadvertently ordered private contractors to paint over a Banksy stencil of a rat descending in a parachute on a council building wall.
May 2010: New Banksy Works Appear in Toronto and Detroit
In May 2010, seven new Banksy works of art appeared in Toronto. Later in May, Banksy visited the Detroit area and left his mark in several places in Detroit and Warren. Shortly after, his work depicting a little boy holding a can of red paint next to the words "I remember when all this was trees" was excavated by the 555 Nonprofit Gallery and Studios.
2010: Exit Through the Gift Shop Debut
In 2010, Banksy directed and starred in the documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop, which made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival.
2010: Banksy Credited with 'The Simpsons' Opening Couch Gag
In 2010, Banksy was credited with the opening couch gag for The Simpsons episode "MoneyBart", depicting deplorable working conditions to produce the show.
2010: 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' Nominated for Oscar
In January 2011, "Exit Through the Gift Shop" was nominated for a 2010 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature.
January 2011: 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' Nominated for Oscar
In January 2011, "Exit Through the Gift Shop" was nominated for a 2010 Oscar for Best Documentary Feature. Banksy released a statement about the nomination and blanketed Los Angeles with street art.
January 2011: Banksy Publishes 'The Simpsons' Storyboard
In January 2011, Banksy published the original storyboard for The Simpsons episode "MoneyBart" on his website.
January 2011: Academy Award Nomination
In January 2011, Banksy's documentary film Exit Through the Gift Shop received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film.
March 2011: Banksy Responds to Oscars with Artwork
In early March 2011, Banksy responded to not winning the Oscar with an artwork in Weston-super-Mare, of a little girl holding the Oscar and pouting.
May 2011: Release of 'Tesco Value' Petrol Bomb Print
In May 2011, Banksy released a lithographic print showing a smoking petrol bomb contained in a 'Tesco Value' bottle, raising money for local groups and legal defense during clashes in Bristol.
July 2011: Gorilla in a Pink Mask painted over
In July 2011, one of Banksy's early works, Gorilla in a Pink Mask, was unwittingly painted over after the premises became a Muslim cultural centre in Eastville. The artwork had been a prominent landmark on the exterior wall of a former social club for over ten years.
August 2011: 'Exit Through the Gift Shop' Broadcast on Channel 4
On 13 August 2011, Exit Through the Gift Shop was broadcast on British public television station Channel 4 as part of a night of other shows compiled by Banksy.
October 2013: One-Month 'Show on the Streets of New York [City]'
On 1 October 2013, Banksy began a one-month "show on the streets of New York [City]", for which he opened a separate website and granted an interview to The Village Voice via his publicist.
October 2013: Banksy's Residency in New York
Throughout October 2013, during Banksy's residency in New York, he unveiled various works, including a sculpture of Ronald McDonald, travelling installations, and a modified painting donated to a charity shop. Many pieces were vandalised, removed, or stolen.
2013: Sale of "The Banality of the Banality of Evil" to Support Anti-Homelessness Charity
In 2013, Banksy's "The Banality of the Banality of Evil" was sold after a failed auction to support an anti-homelessness charity in New York.
July 2014: Canvases Sold at Auction
In July 2014, two Banksy canvasses that had been sold from a street stall in October 2013 were sold at auction for $214,000.
2014: Sale of "Mobile Lovers" to Keep Youth Club Open
In 2014, Banksy's artwork on a doorway titled "Mobile Lovers" was sold for £403,000 to keep a youth club in Bristol open.
February 2015: Banksy's Trip to the Gaza Strip
In February 2015, Banksy published a video about his trip to the Gaza Strip, where he painted artworks, including a kitten on the remains of a destroyed house and a swing hanging off a watchtower.
August 2015: Dismaland Opens
On 21 August 2015, Banksy opened Dismaland, a large-scale group show modelled on Disneyland in Weston-super-Mare.
September 2015: Dismaland Closes
On 27 September 2015, Dismaland permanently closed.
2015: "Dream Boat" exhibited in Dismaland
In 2015, Banksy's sculpture titled "Dream Boat" was exhibited in Dismaland.
2015: Banksy Work Sold for US$137,500
In 2015, Banksy's work that had been excavated in Detroit in May 2010 was sold for US$137,500.
2017: Creation of Mediterranean Sea View 2017
In 2017, Banksy created a triptych of paintings titled Mediterranean Sea View 2017, which were later sold to raise funds for a hospital.
2017: Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem
In 2017, Banksy financed the creation of the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, marking the 100th anniversary of British control of Palestine. The hotel, open to the public, features rooms designed by Banksy and other artists, with bedrooms facing the wall. It also includes a contemporary art gallery.
2017: Sale of "Civilian Drone Strike" to Benefit Campaign Against Arms Trade and Reprieve
In 2017, Banksy's "Civilian Drone Strike" was sold for £205,000 to raise funds for Campaign Against Arms Trade and Reprieve.
October 2018: Shredded Painting at Sotheby's Auction
In October 2018, Banksy's "Girl with Balloon" was sold for £1.042M at Sotheby's in London. As the gavel fell, the painting partially shredded itself via a device hidden in the frame. Banksy posted an image of the shredding on Instagram. The auction house acknowledged the self-destruction as a prank, and the buyer went through with the purchase.
2018: Return to New York
In 2018, Banksy returned to New York five years after his Better Out Than In residency. A Banksy artwork dubbed "Rat race" was torn down, but other works, including a mural of imprisoned Kurdish artist Zehra Doğan and other pieces across Brooklyn, remained on display.
2018: Raffle of "Dream Boat" to Aid Help Refugees
In 2018, a sculpture titled "Dream Boat," previously exhibited in Dismaland in 2015, was raffled off to benefit the NGO Help Refugees.
2018: Girl with Balloon Self-Destructs at Auction
In 2018, at a Sotheby's auction, Banksy's framed painting Girl with Balloon partially self-destructed via a shredder built into the frame, creating a new artwork titled Love Is in the Bin.
May 2019: Mural Moved to Gallery
In May 2019, the Banksy mural in Port Talbot, depicting a child tasting falling snow that is actually smoke from a dumpster fire, was moved to a gallery in the town's Ty'r Orsaf building. The original artwork had appeared in December and was protected by a plastic screen after fears of vandalism.
October 2019: Opening of Gross Domestic Product pop-up shop
In October 2019, Banksy opened a "pop-up shop" named Gross Domestic Product in Croydon, South London, to strengthen his trademark position in a dispute with a greeting card company. The company had challenged his trademark, claiming he wasn't using it. Mark Stephens, arts lawyer, called the case a "ludicrous litigation".
October 2019: Sale of "Devolved Parliament" painting
In October 2019, Banksy's 2009 painting "Devolved Parliament", depicting MPs as chimpanzees, sold at Sotheby's in London for nearly £9.9M (€11.3M). Banksy commented on Instagram that it was a record price for one of his paintings and regretted not owning it anymore.
2019: Merchandise Created for Homeless Charities in Bristol
In 2019, Banksy created merchandise for homeless charities in Bristol.
February 2020: Valentine's Banksy Mural
On 13 February 2020, the Valentine's Banksy mural appeared in Bristol's Barton Hill, featuring a girl firing a slingshot of real red flowers. Banksy confirmed it on 14 February 2020. The painting was defaced shortly after appearing.
May 2020: Donation of "Painting for Saints"
In May 2020, Banksy donated a painting titled "Painting for Saints" or "Game Changer" to the University Hospital of Southampton during the COVID-19 pandemic, to honor NHS staff.
May 2020: "Game Changer" Painting Gifted to Hospital
In May 2020, Banksy gifted a painting titled "Game Changer" to a hospital as a tribute to National Health Service workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
July 2020: Paintings Sold to Benefit Hospital in Bethlehem
In July 2020, Banksy sold three paintings forming a triptych titled Mediterranean Sea View 2017, which raised £2.2 million for a hospital in Bethlehem. The paintings were originally created for The Walled Off Hotel.
August 2020: Banksy Funds Refugee Rescue Boat
In August 2020, it was revealed that Banksy had privately funded a rescue boat to save refugees at risk in the Mediterranean Sea. The boat, named after Louise Michel, was painted pink with an image of a girl holding a heart-shaped float.
September 2020: EUIPO Ruling Against Banksy in Trademark Dispute
On 14 September 2020, the European Union Intellectual Property Office ruled in favor of Full Colour Black in the trademark dispute over Banksy's "Flower Thrower". The judges deemed Banksy's trademark invalid, citing bad faith due to a lack of genuine intent to legitimize the trademark, and they criticized the artist's anonymity.
2020: "Show me the Monet" Sells at Auction
In 2020, Banksy's "Show me the Monet," which repurposes Claude Monet's Bridge over a Pond of Water Lilies with modern additions, was sold for £7.5 million at Sotheby's Contemporary Evening Auction.
March 2021: Reading Prison Mural
In March 2021, a mural of an escaping prisoner resembling Oscar Wilde appeared on the side of Reading Prison, and Banksy claimed the artwork two days later. The artwork included a typewriter attached to the end of tied-together bedsheets.
March 2021: "Game Changer" Sold to Benefit NHS Charities
In March 2021, the painting "Game Changer" that Banksy gifted to a hospital, was sold for £14.4m to benefit NHS-related organisations and charities.
March 2021: Sale of "Painting for Saints"
On 23 March 2021, the "Painting for Saints" was sold for £14.4M (£16.8M including buyer premium; or €19.5M), which is a record for a Banksy artwork. The proceeds benefited NHS-related organizations and charities.
August 2021: A Great British Spraycation
In August 2021, several Banksy artworks collectively titled "A Great British Spraycation", appeared in several East Anglian towns.
October 2021: Resale of Shredded Painting
In October 2021, the partially shredded Banksy painting, now titled "Love Is in the Bin", was resold by Sotheby's in London for £18,582,000 (€21.6M).
November 2022: Murals in Ukraine
In November 2022, Banksy confirmed his visit to Ukraine following the Russian invasion, posting images of a mural on a damaged building in Borodianka and six murals in Kyiv, Irpin, Hostomel, and Horenka. One mural depicted Vladimir Putin in a judo throw.
August 2024: Black Silhouette Compositions
In August 2024, Banksy claimed credit for a number of black silhouette compositions, part of an animal-themed series, that appeared in London. The artist declined to comment on their meaning.
2024: St Patricks Day Mural
In 2024, on St Patricks Day, a confirmed Banksy "mural" appeared overnight on a flank wall of a housing estate near to Finsbury Park. The sprawling artwork gives the impression of lush foliage in full leaf on the wall backdrop. An adjoining life size figure is stencilled onto the wall at ground level, showing a worker using a pressure washer, as if they were spontaneously spraying the artwork.
February 2025: Appearance at Tribunal
In February 2025, it was announced that Banksy, or a representative, is to appear at a tribunal at the UK's Intellectual Property Office. The tribunal will be one of the few times that the secretive artist’s legal team – or those representing the artist – will speak in public.
May 2025: New Artwork in Marseille
In May 2025, Banksy revealed a new artwork depicting a lighthouse, located in the streets of Marseille.
September 2025: Royal Courts of Justice Mural
On September 8, 2025, a Banksy mural appeared on the Royal Courts of Justice in London, depicting a protester being beaten with a gavel by a judge. The artwork was covered up on the same day and removed on September 10, leaving a faded shadow.
December 2025: Bayswater Mural
On 21 December 2025, Banksy revealed a new mural on a wall in Bayswater, central London, depicting two small children dressed in winter clothing lying on their backs and pointing towards the sky. Banksy acknowledged the work in an Instagram post.
2025: Unseen Murals Unearthed by BBC
In 2025, the BBC unearthed previously unseen Banksy murals that differ in their execution from his well-known stencil style. These murals, created for a youth club in Banksy's home city, showcase his early artistic technique.
April 2026: Installation of Blind Patriotism Statue
On 29 April 2026, Banksy installed a statue, Blind Patriotism, in Waterloo Place in London. The statue depicts a man holding a flag as he walks off the plinth he is standing on.
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