This page is not designed to be an exhaustative history of Banky.

It does however show via an analysis of Google search engine data a remarkable pattern between some of Banksy's press activity and his rise to fame over the last 5 years.

Banksy has been an internationally famous street artist for well over 5 years, dividing opinion between, and for some people defining the difference between Graffiti and Street Art (if there is one).

This evidence shows Banksy's rise into popular mainstream culture worldwide.

Top: "Banksy" Google Search Data, "Banksy" Google News Activity

Right: Key for Specific Articles / Points Of Interest

Banksy first becomes active in Google statistics in 2004, with some significant points in 2004 and 2005.

In September 2006 Banksy shoots to fame in the media and amasses numerous articles with his Paris Hilton CD stunt.

Since the initial surge of well over 700% Banksy's traffic has stayed at a point at least 100% higher than it was before September '06.

Since then there have been numerous smaller spikes, as articles on Banksy have become commonplace on a weekly/monthly basis.

Looking at 2008, and the tail end of 2007, using the Google News data specifically (the lower of the two charts) - we can see a significant increase in density of media coverage. This reflects the increase in news items, and Banksy's introduction into the media's celebrity halls of fame.

In the UK and internationally "Banksy" has now become a household name.

This represents another landmark for Graffiti's acceptance into popular culture.

Banksy's artworks have huge value - and forward thinking councils / property owners that understand this value (money talks!) are now actually maintaining these pieces of art.

Once it was the the job of councils to remove ALL graffiti.

Now they are starting to see that perhaps not all of this wonderful artwork can be classed as mindless vandalism.

Indeed there is now actually a legal precedent, that painting over graffiti art can in itself be criminal damage.

Wonderful news in my opinion. However... there are still young artists being sent to prison in the UK for as long as 2 years on a near weekly basis. For their art.

A sad state affairs, and a contrast that many graffiti artists have discussed in one way or another.

One arm of governance / authority condones graffiti art, whilst the other severely reprimands almost at random those who do it.

Forward thinking councils promote the controlled use of street art. You could argue that councils such as Manchester have accepted that street art is a thriving and creative form of art, that can if managed efficiently improve the urban landscape.

The British Transport Police however are in particular one public body that actively persues the majority of graffiti prosecutions.

Here is the link to the online Google search data

If you use this for the basis of a news item I would please ask that you credit me via Hub Pages or www.Stainer1.co.uk