The Telegraph has tried to gather together all the versions of who the mysterious street artist Banksy. Surround your name with an aura of mystery, Banksy has become one of the most successful artists of our time. Including in material terms: his works cost tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars. The identity of the author of the popular graffiti is kept in strict confidence. Despite this, time after time the world is shaken by sensational news about the exposure of his identity. But none of the versions is not 100% confirmed. And certainly it is not confirmed Banksy, who promised that he will never reveal his real name. So everyone can choose their favourite from the available candidates.

so what do we know about Banksy with high probability? It is alleged that Banksy got its name after the English goalkeeper Gordon banks. School future star street-арта he played at the gate in the local team. Even called Bristol football club Easton Cowboys and Cowgirls. Growing up, he was officially working as an artist and decorator. At least his parents think so.

Banksy in the past was captured and photos@ - and on film, but in the picture he always wears a hood and face-covering mask, like in the famous film "Exit through the gift shop". And now — version.

• Photos of a certain street artist, made in Jamaica. It is argued that this is Banksy. He is not confirmed. Person with a photo similar to Robin Gunningham (right photo)
  Source: dailystar.co.uk
• the Only published photo of Robin Gunningham from the Yearbook
  Source: dailystar.co.uk

Robin Gunningham (Robin Gunningham). In 2008 there was a version that behind the pseudonym hides Banksy's former private pupil of Bristol Cathedral school, who grew up in the suburbs for the middle class, by the name of Robin Gunningham. The artistic talent of the boy appeared at school, — say former classmates of Gunningham. Gunningham when-то shared a flat with artist Luke Egan, who later exhibited with Banksy. Around 2000, Gunningham moved to the East of London. Then Banksy, which the majority believes a native of Bristol, also moved to London. Gunningham rented an apartment together with Jamie Eastman (Jamie Eastman), who worked in Bristol's Hombre record company. Banksy did some covers for albums released by this company. The whereabouts of Robin Gunningham nothing is known here for many years. Now he is about 41-42 years old.

Another proof, which lead fans version of Gunningham, — is a photograph taken in Jamaica. It depicts a man with spray paint at the feet and stencils, suspiciously similar to Robin Gunningham (judging by his school photos). It is argued that this is Banksy. However, the official representative of Banksy declined to comment on this photo.

the Most interesting that in March 2016 version about Robin Gunningham was confirmed by the researchers from London's Queen Mary University. They "calculated" Banksy, using the technology of geographic profiling. This technique is primarily used to track down serial criminals, is to analyze the places where it was seen wanted man. It was identified a correlation between the places where he lived or often visited Gunningham, and places where there were murals of Banksy. Only 140 were analyzed graffiti attributed to Banksy. Able to identify whole clusters of murals around certain bars, playgrounds and places where when-либо lived in or visited Robin Gunningham.

Robin Banks (Robin Banks). Another native of Bristol, whose name often appears in connection with the mystery of Banksy, — is Robin banks. The man who introduced himself as that name, allegedly gave the train a fellow traveler — 14-летнему boy Ben Azaria (Ben Azarya) — its work with the words "it will cost about £20 000, have a nice life". According to the testimony of the boy, Robin banks — is a white male, age about forty years old, in baggy clothes and a black hat. When the stranger opened the backpack, the boy saw the respirator and spray paint. Then he asked the student, if he knew who Robin banks, and then gave him his job. It was in the English County of Cumbria. From this County and the next witness — the owner of the restaurant. According to her, the man who introduced himself as Robin banks, as-то went to her restaurant to see graffiti on the walls. However, both these stories the official publisher Banksy Jo Brooks denies and says that Banksy wasn't anywhere near the places in question.

• "King Robbo and Banksy several times painted graffiti on top of each other's work on the Regents canal in London
  Source: newsexaminer.net

king Robbo, or King Robbo King Robbo). This street artist, who died in 2014. Version was born after Banksy painted his latest work on top of the fresco "King Robbo" on the Regents canal in London, thereby violating an unwritten code of street art. I thought that it could only happen in the case that the artist himself is painted over his own work. But the scandal, which raised "King Robbo", looks in this case weird: why Banksy to quarrel with yourself. If only Eyewash. Opponents repeatedly painted over the graffiti each other. The dispute of street artists, by the way, has revived interest in the work of "King Robbo", the former is almost the main graffiti London in 1980-е. After the announcement of Robbo's death, Banksy on his website expressed it the respect, putting "King Robbo" among those with whom he when-либо worked.

• Paul Horner
  Source: newsexaminer.net

Paul Horner Paul Horner). In 2014, thousands of Banksy fans around the world were taken aback by the news that their idol is arrested by the police of greater London, and in his workshop found thousands of counterfeit dollars. It was said that the identity of the mysterious artist has been revealed: it's 35-летний a native of Liverpool Paul Horner. The news about the arrest I read about 5 million people, and about a quarter of a million people shared it on Facebook. Later it turned out that this news is nothing more than a duck, and Paul Horner — adventurer with the experience. He's from Arizona and launched the network not one fabricated news. So he's having fun. Its amusing that people take at face value his practical jokes, and serious publication to reprint them without hesitation.

• Thierry Guetta — Mr Brainwash
  Source: postersandprintsblog.com

Mr. Brainwash, or "Mr. Shrink" (Mr. Brainwash). Another candidate — is Thierry Guetta, a street artist, appeared in the film "Exit through the gift shop". After the film, where Mr. Brainwash presents one of the main characters, working side by side with Banksy and Shepard Fairey, a version that "Shrink" — is either invented as a joke by Banksy's identity (this is supported by the ostentatious awkwardness Thierry Guetta as an artist in the film), or that Banksy is Thierry Guetta. The Style Of Mr. Close to manner Brainwash Banksy.

• Combines the work of Banksy and Damien Hirst's "Keeping It Spotless"
  Source: avantiwallart.com.au

Banksy — is alter ego Damien Hirst. This version was born after a "joint" work of Banksy and Damien Hirst will be Keeping It Spotless" ("to Protect from stains"): her maid-француженка sweeps the dirt under the painted picture on the wall in the style of Hirst with colored circles.

Banksy has been found woman. Which leads a group of the seven artists. argues canadian Christopher Healy (Christopher Healey), insisting that he learned about it from trusted sources.

all Of the above seems the most likely candidate Robin Gunningham. However, when we are talking about Banksy, anything it is impossible to say for sure. Anyway, does this mystery unravel? The British love a good mystery, which is worth at least that so far there are new theories about the identity of Jack-Потрошителя. So mythical Banksy — it is a purely English phenomenon that is more exciting than longer remains unsolved in this age of digital technology and accessibility of information.

the Material was prepared by Maria Onuchina, AI

Sources: telegraph.co.uk, thesun.co.uk, independent.co.uk, chrishealey.me, bbc.com, artinvestment.ru