TIMELINE
Thirty years of interventions, exhibitions, stunts, and provocations — documented chronologically.
Early Bristol Graffiti
Banksy begins producing freehand graffiti in Bristol as part of the DryBreadZ Crew.
Transition to Stencil
Banksy adopts the stencil technique, dramatically reducing time on walls and increasing image complexity.
Mild Mild West
First major Bristol mural; still extant in Stokes Croft. Establishes his visual language of subverted innocence.
Turf War Exhibition
First solo exhibition in London, featuring pigs painted with camouflage patterns. Begins building gallery credibility.
Girl with Balloon
The image that will become the world's most reproduced street artwork first appears on London's South Bank.
Flower Thrower
Painted on the West Bank barrier during his first visit to Palestine. International media coverage follows.
Kissing Coppers
Brighton's Kissing Coppers mural provokes tabloid outrage and widespread debate about sexuality and authority.
Santa's Ghetto / West Bank
Returns to Bethlehem to produce a series of barrier paintings; organises Santa's Ghetto collective exhibition.
Barely Legal
Los Angeles warehouse show attracts celebrity attendees and global press. Estimated 30,000 visitors.
The Cans Festival
Organises a large-scale stencil art festival in London's Leake Street tunnel, opened for public participation.
Exit Through the Gift Shop
Banksy's documentary is nominated for an Academy Award; the identity of Mr. Brainwash becomes subject of heated debate.
Better Out Than In
Month-long New York City residency; one new work per day throughout October. Global media follows every piece.
Dismaland
Bemusement park opens in Weston-super-Mare. 150,000 visitors in five weeks; structures donated to Calais migrant camp.
Walled Off Hotel Opens
Banksy's hotel in Bethlehem opens, the first permanent architectural work. Described as having "the worst view in the world."
Love is in the Bin
Girl with Balloon self-destructs at Sotheby's moments after selling for £1.04m. The shredded work is retitled Love is in the Bin.
Game Changer
NHS tribute painted at Southampton General Hospital during COVID-19 pandemic; later sells for £16.8m for NHS charities.
Ukraine Works
Banksy travels to Ukraine and produces several murals in war-damaged areas, including a gymnast on a ruined building.