Banksy’s Lost Works: On the Trail of His Vanishing Street Art

A landmark exploration of the sold, stolen, and destroyed works of Banksy, perhaps one of the most famous and controversial living artists of our time.

A victim of his own success, Banksy is famous the world over and yet more famously disdainful of the spotlight, preferring to remain anonymous. Considered by many to be one of the greatest living artists in the world and to others a rogue vandal with a political agenda, Banksy has scandalized and enlightened the art world since his acts of guerrilla art began to appear on the streets of Barton Hill in Bristol over 25 years ago. However, this is a book about what you can’t see: the works that have disappeared entirely, whether removed by authorities or whisked into people’s private art collections to languish on walls or in collector’s vaults. These remarkable works are as elusive as their creator but are returned here for public consumption and enjoyment. Works unveiled in Banksy’s Lost Works include a series of seven pieces painted on partially destroyed buildings around Kyiv, Ukraine, one of which has already been cut off the wall by a group of locals; Valentine’s Day Mascara in Margate that has now been restored and housed in Dreamland after several interventions by Thanet District Council; and Banksy’s disappearing rats, an early symbol of the artist routinely painted over by councils when the name Banksy was more synonymous with ＂vandal＂ than ＂artist.＂

Will Ellsworth-Jones has held senior positions at the Sunday Times, Telegraph Magazine, Independent Magazine, and Saga Magazine. He is the acclaimed author of Banksy: The Man behind the Wall.