The Banksy Timeline

A journey through the enigmatic artist's career

1974

Early Days

Banksy is believed to have been born in Bristol, England.

1992

The Beginning

Started as a freehand graffiti artist in Bristol's DryBreadZ Crew (DBZ).

1999

First Exhibition

First unofficial exhibition at Severnshed restaurant in Bristol.

2000

London Calling

Banksy's work begins appearing on walls across London.

2003

Turf War

Groundbreaking exhibition featuring live animals and famous artwork remixes.

2005

West Bank Wall

Created nine controversial murals on the Israeli West Bank barrier.

2006

Barely Legal

Major Los Angeles exhibition featuring a painted elephant, attended by celebrities.

2008

Cans Festival

Organized the Cans Festival, a street art event in London's Leake Street tunnel.

2010

Exit Through the Gift Shop

Directed Oscar-nominated documentary about street art.

2013

Better Out Than In

Month-long New York City residency with daily street art installations.

2015

Dismaland

Created 'bemusement park' Dismaland in Weston-super-Mare, UK.

2017

The Walled Off Hotel

Opened hotel with 'the worst view in the world' near Bethlehem's separation wall.

2018

Girl With Balloon Shreds

Artwork self-destructs at Sotheby's auction immediately after selling for £1.04 million.

2019

Devolved Parliament

'Devolved Parliament' painting sells for over £12 million, setting a new record.

2020

Pandemic Art

Created NHS tribute and other pandemic-themed works during COVID-19 lockdown.

2021

Spraycation

Created series of murals across UK coastal towns during summer 'staycation' period.

2022

Ukraine Support

Created murals in Ukraine and surrounding countries showing solidarity.

2023

Cut & Run

First official solo exhibition in 14 years opens at Gallery of Modern Art, Glasgow.

About Steve Lazarides

Steve Lazarides was Banksy's photographer, gallerist, and agent from 1997 to 2008. During this pivotal period, he documented Banksy's rise from underground graffiti artist to global phenomenon.

His unique access and perspective during these formative years resulted in an unparalleled photographic archive, capturing not just the art but the context, process, and culture surrounding Banksy's work. The "Banksy Captured" series represents the most comprehensive visual documentation of this transformative period in street art history.