LONDON — Police in London have opened an investigation into the anonymous street artist Banksy after new graffiti appeared on the Royal Courts of Justice, one of Britain’s most iconic legal buildings. The development has renewed speculation that the artist’s real identity could soon be revealed.

The mural, which depicts a judge striking a protester with a gavel, appeared on the façade of the court on Monday, 8 September. Banksy later posted the same image on his official Instagram account. This was reported by The WP Times, citing the Daily Mail.

The Royal Courts of Justice is a listed building, and authorities confirmed that the work was created by the “well-known street artist.” Police said an investigation had been launched due to the protected status of the site. Observers noted that the imagery may be a reference to recent arrests of pro-Palestinian activists in the United Kingdom.

Who is Banksy

Banksy is the pseudonym of an English underground graffiti artist, political activist and film director. Debate over his true identity has circulated for decades, with speculation that his real name may be Robert or Robin Banks.

His first works appeared in Bristol in the early 1990s, often stencilled under cover of night. Today, his art commands millions at auction and frequently increases the value of the buildings on which it appears.

In Ukraine, Banksy created seven murals in Kyiv, Irpin, Horenka and Borodyanka, later confirming his authorship on Instagram. Those works are valued between $1 million and $10 million, and the city of Irpin even granted him honorary citizenship.

Additional facts

  • Banksy directed the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010), which received an Academy Award nomination.
  • His work Girl with Balloon became infamous in 2018 after partially shredding itself at a Sotheby’s auction. The piece, retitled Love is in the Bin, later sold for £18.6 million.
  • In 2015 he staged Dismaland, a dystopian pop-up theme park in Weston-super-Mare, attracting over 150,000 visitors.
  • Despite his global fame, Banksy has never confirmed his identity. The mystery surrounding him has only heightened the cultural impact of his art.

Officers confirmed that the case has been passed to a specialist unit dealing with heritage crime. Banksy’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment.

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