AN order in a bombshell court document could finally unmask elusive street artist Banksy.
The millionaire artist has kept his identity secret for years but a law suit caused by an Instagram post may be the unravelling of his mystery.
Banksy is being dragged to court over a now-deleted post where he encouraged shoplifters to target high street giant Guess.
The artist is being sued for almost £1.4million by Andrew Gallagher – who has made a business out of selling images of his work through his company Full Colour Black.
And should proceedings go ahead, Banksy could be unmasked as he’s called into the courtroom.
The claim says that Gallagher would be able to ask that the street artist appear in person in court.
The Times reported the particulars read: “The claimant reserves the right to seek an order that he identifies himself for the purposes of these proceedings.”
It would bring an end to the long-standing mystery about who Banksy is.
The lawsuit is the latest point in a long-running feud between Gallagher and Banksy.
One of Gallagher’s other firms, Brandalised, was involved in a tie-up with High Street fashion firm Guess last Autumn in which the clothing company used Banksy images to advertise their brand.
In a since-deleted post allegedly made on November 18, Banksy’s Instagram account, which has 12 million followers, used an image of Guess’ shop window with the words: “Alerting all shoplifters. Please go to GUESS on Regent Street.
“They’ve helped themselves to my art without asking. How can it be wrong to do the same to their clothes.”
In its High Court claim, Full Colour Black alleged that it “contained defamatory words which referred to, and were understood to refer to, the Claimant”.
Full Colour Black is seeking at least £1,357,086 in damages and an injunction preventing further alleged defamation.
Gallagher is suing “The Artist known as ‘Banksy’ and Pest Control Office Limited, the body that authenticates his art”.
His lawyer Aaron Wood stressed they were not suing Robin Gunningham.
Theories have surrounded Banksy’s identity for decades.
The Banksy collective is thought to be made up of a number of artists including founder and original artist, believed to be Gunningham, and Brit Art icon Damien Hirst.
The pair’s conflict goes back more than a decade when Full Colour Black started selling photos taken of Banksy’s public work.
Mr Wood told The Sun: “The worst thing that could happen to Banksy is if he gets unmasked by appearing in court.
“His work will change in the public’s view if everyone knows who he is and that he has a back story.”
Ever since emerging on the art scene in the late 1990s, Banksy – who found fame on the streets of Bristol with his distinct style of stencilled graffiti images – has remained anonymous.
Despite being known across the globe, Banksy’s true identity has never been revealed.
When it comes to definitive proof, the search for the man behind some of the world’s most iconic artwork has left investigators dumbfounded.
As graffiti can be considered criminal damage, initially it is thought the artist, whose work has been spotted around the UK and internationally, chose to remain anonymous to avoid a run-in with the law.
You can see a full list of Banksy’s street work here.
