Banksy’s first artworks before fame revealed…and they only came 3rd in contest

THESE black and white cartoons are the first known by Robin Gunningham — who is said to be “Banksy”.

They were drawn at school before the rise of the anonymous graffiti artist and have never been seen by fans before.

The man believed to be Banksy aka Robin Gunningham
The man believed to be Banksy aka Robin Gunningham
Robin drew this time traveller with a face trapped in a cube when he was 14
Robin drew this time traveller with a face trapped in a cube when he was 14Credit: Robin Gunningham

Robin etched them at Bristol Cathedral School, which he joined in 1984 aged 11, and appeared in a magazine unco-vered by The Sun on Sunday.

He only came third in the contest for which they were drawn.

Banksy’s works, however, sell for about £300,000 and he has amassed a £40million-plus fortune.

One of Robin’s efforts aged 15 is about an “ordinary caveman” called Fred who invents a wheel by accident before making the first cart.

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Another, done at 14, called Time Traveller, shows a face trapped in a cube in space.

One school pal said: “He was extremely talented at art.

“He did lots of illustrations and also played rugby.”

He was also praised for his acting and debating skills.

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Robin left school at 16 and began dabbling in street art, becoming a comparatively low-key “guerrilla artist.

As Banksy’s work made its mark across the UK, there was much debate as to the artist’s identity.

Banksy’s new piece of art at the intersection of Southampton Way and Commercial Way in Peckham has been removed shortly after it’s unveiling

Many looked to Bristol where a graffiti artist was gaining a reputation for his imaginative spray-painting of walls and trains.

The real Banksy may now be unmasked after an Andrew Gallagher launched a £1.3million High Court defamation case against “the artist known as Bansky”.

The co-defendant is Pest Control Ltd, which sells Banksy’s artwork.

Two weeks ago Banksy filed defence documents, an unexpected move as he was thought to be ready to concede the lawsuit to avoid revealing his true identity.

As Banksy’s work made its mark across the UK, there was much debate as to the artist’s identity
As Banksy’s work made its mark across the UK, there was much debate as to the artist’s identityCredit: London News Pictures
A Banksy in Camden London
A Banksy in Camden LondonCredit: Alamy
Robin's (aka Banksy's) drawings from 1984
Robin’s (aka Banksy’s) drawings from 1984Credit: Robin Gunningham
Robin's drawings shortly before he left school at 16 and began dabbling in street art
Robin’s drawings shortly before he left school at 16 and began dabbling in street artCredit: Robin Gunningham

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