Banksy–the name is neither masculine of feminine. Yet the media coverage of the ubiquitous but still anonymous rock star of art–the surreptitious tagger known merely as Banksy–has generally presumed the artist’s maleness. The Banksy character was portrayed by a man in his–err, her?– film Exit Through the Gift Shop. But what difference does that make? This is an artist who bathes with red herrings. Throwing people off the scent is part of the art.
Of course some people, but not enough to constitute a movement, have proposed that Banksy is a woman. Some even say Banksy is a collective that includes men and women. The much ballyhooed Banksy Does New York documentary will air on HBO on November 17. Kriston Capps, a writer at CityLab, thinks it presents more evidence than ever that Banksy is a woman. Capps admires the artist unreservedly for her social justice bent–a particular sensitivity to injustice which for Capps points to a woman’s heart. Check out the trailer or wait till November 17. Is there proof here that Banksy is a woman?
