Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Banksy

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Banksy.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Controversies & Scandals

2000: Arrest for vandalising a billboard

In 2000, Banksy was arrested for vandalising a billboard in New York.

2002: Bloomberg's Graffiti Cleanup Operation

In 2002, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, led a citywide graffiti cleanup operation.

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.

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.

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.

2006: Charlie Brooker's Criticism of Banksy's Work

In 2006, Charlie Brooker wrote in The Guardian that Banksy's "work looks dazzlingly clever to idiots".

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.

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.

October 2008: Westminster City Council Declares 'One Nation Under CCTV' as Graffiti

In October 2008, the Westminster City Council declared that Banksy's work, 'One Nation Under CCTV,' would be painted over as it was considered graffiti.

December 2008: 'The Little Diver' Destroyed in Melbourne

In December 2008, Banksy's image 'The Little Diver' in Melbourne, Australia, was destroyed. Silver paint was poured behind the protective sheet and tagged with the words 'Banksy woz ere,' almost completely obliterating the image.

April 2009: 'One Nation Under CCTV' Painted Over

In April 2009, Banksy's 'One Nation Under CCTV' was painted over, fulfilling the decision made by the Westminster City Council the previous year.

September 2009: Banksy Parody of Royal Family Destroyed

In September 2009, Hackney Council partially destroyed a Banksy work parodying the Royal Family after serving an enforcement notice for graffiti removal.

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.

May 2010: OMAR NYC defaces Banksy's work

In May 2010, a competing artist, OMAR NYC, defaced some of Banksy's work. This was part of a series of defacements of Banksy's art.

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.

May 2012: Parachuting Rat Destroyed in Melbourne

In May 2012, Banksy's Parachuting Rat, painted in Melbourne in the late 1990s, was accidentally destroyed by plumbers installing new pipes.

February 2013: Slave Labour Mural Removed and Put Up For Sale

In February 2013, Banksy's Slave Labour mural was removed from Wood Green, London, and appeared for sale in a US auction, causing local anger and accusations of theft.

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: Criticism During New York Series

In 2013, Banksy received much criticism during his series of works in New York, with some street artists defacing his work.

2013: Vandal convicted for defacing Praying Boy artwork

In 2013, the perpetrator of the vandalism of Banksy's Praying Boy in Park City, Utah, was tried, pleaded guilty, and convicted of criminal mischief. The artwork was subsequently restored.

2016: Copyright Notice

In 2016, the American Numismatic Society received an email from a Reproductions Officer at the Bank of England, which brought attention to the illegality of publishing photos of the banknotes on their website without prior permission.

June 2017: Banksy Offers Free Prints for Anti-Conservative Voters

In June 2017, during the United Kingdom general election, Banksy offered voters a free print for casting a ballot against Conservative candidates. The offer was withdrawn after an investigation into potential bribery by the Avon and Somerset Constabulary and warnings from the Electoral Commission that it would invalidate the election result.

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: 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.

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".

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.

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.

2026: Reuters Investigation Identifies Banksy as Gunningham

In 2026, a Reuters investigation identified Banksy as Robin Gunningham, based on a signed confession after his arrest in 2000 for vandalizing a billboard in New York, and that in 2008, Gunningham had changed his legal name to David Jones.