Banksy
Banksy has captured the world's attention and held it since the late 1990s, when his controversial stencilled artworks rose to fame and transformed him into Britain's most celebrated graffiti artist.
His contempt for authority is no secret and he continues to display powerful artworks on walls, streets and bridges across the globe. He has also produced a range of highly-collectable limited edition artworks which have become hugely popular.
Banksy seeks to remain anonymous, but varying reports bring up two different names: Robert Banks and Robin Gunningham. It is believed that Banksy was born in Bristol circa 1974, 1975.
Dark humour, satire and his distinctive stencilling technique characterise Banksy's renowned social and political commentaries.
Striking images and slogans immortalise his satirical critiques of politics, war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed, which often include apes, rats, policeman and children. Back in 2006, Banksy even incorporated a live elephant into one of his pieces.
Limited editions of Banksy prints, which have now morphed into private collections from public walls, are in extremely high demand and continue to generate huge interest at auction.
Banksy collectors are reported to include Damien Hirst, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, Macaulay Culkin and Christina Aguilera.