Previously hunted by the police, today worshiped. This artist has an incredible career. He has travelled the world and again and again he surprises with pointed political statements.

Despite his secret identity, the graffiti and street art artist Banksy, is one of England's best known artists of the time. He is does its best to keep his private life in secret and successfully managed to hide his identity behind his name. It has been heatedly debated whether Banksy is male or female, one person or a group. It is all still a mystery. But a rather successful one! Banksy’s graffiti works are known all over the world. They often feature a combination of spray paint and stenciling technique, with a commercial, political and contemporary imagery, mixed with irony and humor. Banksy often likes to change and modify his works and well-known motifs from time to time.

The revelations of many of Banksy's new works often seem like a joke or a performance. He secretly and unsolicitedly added his own works to museums, such as the Tate Modern in London or the Louvre in Paris. He opened exhibitions in galleries for the public with bred rats running around in the gallery. He also placed an inflatable doll dressed like a Guantanamo Bay detainee at Disneyland Amusement Park in California. In addition to his street art, Banksy created works for various charities, such as Greenpeace.

Besides his street art, he is also active in other artistic fields. In several books he published photos of his graffiti and paintings with very personal comments. He is also successful as a filmmaker. His documentary "Exit through the Gift Shop" about French artists Thierry Guetta and Invader was even nominated for an Oscar in 2011.

Unsuccessful shredder - action

Disgusted faces at the auction: At the beginning of October, just recently, Banksy has been in the news again. His work "Girl with Balloon" was destroyed in London. Shortly after the last bid of 1.2 million was received in the auction house Sotheby's, the picture itself fragmented: A shredder hidden in the frame shredded the motif in half - left over only snippets. However, Banksy probably wanted to destroy his work completely, as it emerges from a video on his website.

The action in London, has reignited the speculation surrounding Banksy's identity: who hides behind the street artist? For more than 25 years, this question remains unanswered. Meanwhile, the wildest theories entwine around the British people: Is he a singer from a band? Or a woman who manages even a whole collective?

However, we can at least record some facts that are known: Banksy came to London in the late 90s. He/she or they became famous for his socially critical and mostly controversial motives. Banksy’s art criticizes society again and again - war, fascism and excessive consumer behavior - it has all been tackled in his works. One of the few graffiti that can still be seen in London is called "Shop till you drop". It shows a falling woman with shopping carts on a house wall near Hyde Park.

But most important is the question of who Banksy really is. It may remain unanswered forever.