For decades, Banksy has captivated the art world with his enigmatic persona and thought-provoking graffiti. But beneath the layers of fame and anonymity lies an untold chapter of his journey—a period when he inspired and collaborated with young people in a Bristol youth club. Here, we delve into the forgotten murals, rare photographs, and stories that shed light on the man behind the stencil.
Banksy’s Early Days: A Youth Club Collaboration
In the late 1990s, Banksy was on the brink of international fame, but his focus wasn’t solely on the streets of Bristol. He was also creating art with 11 to 16-year-olds at a youth club in Lawrence Weston. Organized by Peter de Boer, a senior youth worker, this collaboration began when de Boer sought local artists to inspire the children.
“I got his phone number, so I used to call him up and ask if he’d come and do some art projects. He was really keen,” de Boer recalls. Banksy agreed to participate for just £50, unaware that he was about to redefine street art.
The Forgotten Murals
Inside the youth club, Banksy worked closely with the children, creating colorful, abstract murals that stretched across the walls. These pieces, vibrant and dynamic, reflected a true spirit of collaboration. Photos from the sessions show a young Banksy guiding the kids as they shared ideas and experimented with paint.
“They were engaged, having fun, and sharing ideas. It was a true collaboration,” de Boer said. These murals, however, were eventually painted over, leaving behind only photographs as evidence of this unique period in Banksy’s career.
Banksy’s time at the youth club coincided with the creation of his first large stencil mural, Mild, Mild West, in Stokes Croft. Depicting a teddy bear throwing a Molotov cocktail at riot police, the piece became an iconic representation of his satirical and political style. This was the same artist who, just weeks earlier, was engaging with teens who had no idea of the global icon he would become.
Rare Glimpses of the Anonymous Artist
The BBC recently obtained permission to publish photos of Banksy from his youth club days, under the condition that his identity remains protected. These rare images show him working with children, his face obscured, but his passion and commitment are evident.
This isn’t the first time glimpses of Banksy’s earlier days have surfaced. In 2019, his former manager and photographer Steve Lazarides released photos of the artist, and in 2015, Whitehot Magazine of Contemporary Arts claimed to possess images showing his face. Despite these revelations, Banksy’s anonymity remains intact.
Today, Banksy is estimated to be in his 50s, his art gracing public spaces worldwide and commanding millions at auction. Yet, these snapshots of his early career offer a rare, humanizing insight into the artist’s journey. They highlight a period when his focus was not on fame, but on inspiring young minds and nurturing creativity.
As the murals at the youth club have faded, the stories and photographs endure, preserving a hidden chapter of Banksy’s life—a time when he wasn’t just a street artist, but a mentor and collaborator.
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