London Builder Furious Over Banksy Identity Claims
A North London builder has launched an angry denial that he is the world-famous street artist Banksy, telling people making the claims to "grow up" and "get a life". George Georgiou, a semi-retired builder, expressed frustration after images of him from March 2024 recirculated online following a weekend investigation by Reuters news agency that claimed to unmask Banksy's true identity.
Two-Year Rumours Resurface
The builder first became surrounded by rumours in March 2024 when he was photographed installing Perspex around one of Banksy's tree murals on Hornsey Road near Finsbury Park. Georgiou, who is the father of the building's landlord Alex Georgiou, was performing maintenance work to protect the artwork at the time. Despite this innocent explanation, speculation about his identity as the elusive artist has persisted for two years.
"I'm not Banksy," Georgiou told the Daily Mail. "It's really annoying, it's ridiculous and it's disturbing. The first day, it was a laugh. It's a bit of an old joke now."
Reuters Investigation Names Different Suspect
The renewed attention comes after Reuters published an investigation over the weekend claiming that street artist Robin Gunningham from Bristol, who reportedly operates under the name David Jones, is actually Banksy. The investigation team spoke to dozens of insiders and examined previously sealed U.S. documents and police files in their attempt to expose the artist's identity.
Despite this new claim, images of Georgiou from 2024 have been recirculating online, prompting the builder to once again deny any connection to the mysterious artist. "If Banksy were to be found, he wouldn't be standing there," Georgiou argued. "I'm sure he is well enough endowed not to have to go there doing building work."
Ukrainian Connection Revealed
The Reuters investigation made additional claims about Banksy's operations, suggesting the artist does not work alone and has a "famous painting partner" who helps with his mystery works. The investigation also revealed details about Banksy's movements, including that a man named Dave Jones, along with photographer Giles Duley, crossed into Ukraine on October 28, 2022, to create one of his famous pieces.
Locals who met the art star in Ukraine confirmed seeing the artist enter the country during that period. Banksy's complete anonymity has contributed significantly to his mystique and the value of his works, which often sell for thousands or even millions at auction.
Builder Wants Rumours to End
Georgiou, who comes from a Greek family but was born and raised in London, admitted he sometimes wishes he were the world-famous artist, but emphasized that the constant speculation has become disruptive. "It's disrupting my day endlessly," he complained about the ongoing rumours.
The builder performs occasional maintenance work on buildings owned by his sons, which led to his initial association with Banksy's artwork. What began as a humorous misunderstanding has now become a persistent annoyance for the North London resident, who wants the public to accept that he is simply a builder, not one of the world's most famous anonymous artists.
