Name:
Banksy

Age:
27

Location:
London

URL's:
www.banksy.co.uk

Can you tell us a little bit about your background?
Bristol. Butchery. Booze

How did you get into Graffiti?
Without thinking about it. Now I think about it I realise what a great fucking deal it is. The only thing that depresses me about graffiti is that pretty much any other art form short of making a feature film, is a step down from here. I don't ever want to stop.

What prompted you to begin to use stencils rather than the traditional style spray painting?
All the stylistic developments I've ever made have been as a result of trying to evade security systems. The tools, the colours, the message. Also I met my girlfriend at a police roadblock and the police got me my best ever piece of press. So you can't complain really.

The imagery is almost always very subversive.... what message are you trying to put across to people?
I try and deal with lots of different ideas but I guess the underlying message is always the same - You say the city belongs to you and your laws? Well then how come its got MY name written all over it.

What kind of political and social power do you think your images have?
I'm here to find out how much power they have. On happier days I think I can
change the world, topple corrupt governments and feed the children, but I have a sneaky suspicion that they actually mean fuck all.

Have you been arrested or in major trouble because of your work?
I have been arrested. But I re-offend. I think that if being arrested stops you then you should never have started in the first place. The beauty of my profession is that I spend so much time worrying about the police I hardly ever get time to think about death.

Are all of your images hand drawn or do you use found material to make them up before stenciling?
I use whatever it takes. Sometimes that just means drawing a moustache on a girls face on some billboard, sometimes that means sweating for days over an intricate drawing. The efficiency is the key.

Do you do any other illustration or graphic design work?
Only if I have to. Or it provides an opportunity to meet models.

Do you have any new projects coming up soon that you can tell us about?
I'm buying a new ladder, which should make for some good new pieces in central London.

What do you know about Australian graffiti artists/designers?
From what I've seen Australian graffiti is like the classic New York stuff after its had the colour and contrast turned up a notch. ( that means I like it )

Any final comments?
A wall is just as good a place to publish as anywhere else

Thanks Banksy!