Neil from Art Attack responds to rumours that he's Banksy
Every once in a while a conspiracy theory arises that people really want to get behind (remember the Avril Lavigne imposter conspiracy?). And, now the one that's really doing the rounds is theory that Art Attack's Neil Buchanan is the real identity of anonymous street artist Banksy.
The rumour has been around for a while, but recently gained traction on social media to the extent that Neil Buchanan's team went so far as to release a statement denying the theory. The statement, which was posted to Buchanan's website yesterday began; "Neil Buchanan is NOT Banksy."
The statement continued, "Please note: We have been inundated with enquiries over the weekend regarding the current social media story. Unfortunately this website does not have the infrastructure to answer all these enquiries individually, however we can confirm that there is no truth in the rumour whatsoever."
The statement ended, "Neil spent Lockdown with vulnerable members of his family and is now preparing to launch his new art collection in 2021. Thank you and please stay safe."
The main crux of the theory claims that artworks by Banksy had appeared in places where Buchanan's former band Marseille was playing shows. The recent interest in the theory came after an account tweeted about it late last week.
Just heard that it's rumoured Neil Buchanan is Banksy. If true, it's the funniest shit ever. Aintree's finest.
He's a musician and art has followed in the cities of shows he's done allegedly.
This is straight in the believe without question category . pic.twitter.com/LWU48wGekR— Scouseman (@ScouseMan_) September 4, 2020
Buchanan was the host of Children's Show Art Attack on CITV from 1990 to 2007, and is also a professional artist, painter and photographer.
The theory only had its resurgence a few days ago, but Twitter is full of people who are very on board with the possibility - even if they're just looking for a little bit of good news this year.
Neil Buchanan saying he’s not Banksy seems an awful lot like something Banksy would say
— Dan Williams (@WanDilliams) September 7, 2020
relying heavily on the "Neil Buchanan from Art Attack is Banksy" conspiracy theory to get me through the rest of the year
— Eleanor Margolis (@EleanorMargolis) September 7, 2020
neil buchanan could do banksy but banksy couldn’t do art attack
— steven 🪐✨ (@StevenChristie_) September 7, 2020
Of course Neil Buchanan isn’t Banksy but I feel like the answer is very very close by.... pic.twitter.com/nYRAJxd9kq
— sarah (@theenicewitch) September 7, 2020
Look, we get it Neil isn't Banksy. Besides we've never seen pipe cleaners and PVA glue in Banksy's work, which seems like proof enough.
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