Banksy Identity Named Robin Gunningham, David Jones

What’s in a name?

Well, for world-famous artist Banksy, a pseudonym has been his way of staying anonymous throughout his three-decade career of graffiti-style art full of detailed human subjects and underlying political statements.

However, his attorney is now speaking out after a lengthy investigative report published by Reuters March 13 identified him as Robin Gunningham, a Bristol-born man who changed his name to David Jones around 2008.

In a statement, Banksy’s longtime lawyer Mark Stephens told the outlet the elusive creator “does not accept that many of the details contained within your enquiry are correct” after being presented with findings suggesting that he is Gunningham.

Stephens also emphasized that Banksy’s anonymity is crucial given that he has “been subjected to fixated, threatening and extremist behavior.”

“[Working] anonymously or under a pseudonym serves vital societal interests,” he added. “It protects freedom of expression by allowing creators to speak truth to power without fear of retaliation, censorship or persecution—particularly when addressing sensitive issues such as politics, religion or social justice.”