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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Craig Simpson

Banksy: First ever official photos capture mysterious street artist at work

Banksy fans are set to get a glimpse of the man behind the enigma.

The mysterious street artist has remained anonymous throughout his career, leading to speculation about his true identity.

But the artist's inner circle is set to give the world a peek at the anonymous figure.

Banksy's former agent and photographer will release images documenting more than a decade working with him.

But in keeping with the secrecy shrouding the artist- they don't appear to include his face.

True to the brand, none of the Banksy pictures appear to show his face (PA)
Secretive Banksy is pictured creating one of his works (PA)
Banksy is captured at work (PA)

Steve Lazarides is releasing candid and intimate photos from 11 years spent as the right-hand man of the anonymous figure.

The images provide a behind-the-scenes look at the street artist creating some of his famous works, captured by his long-time associate.

The artist's face is tantalisingly concealed in the pictures released so far (PA)
A Banksy work on London's South Bank (PA)

Lazarides said he loved his time with Banksy, but is glad to be out of the art world.

He said: "I worked with him for 11 glorious years, during which time we broke every rule in the rule book, along with a fair few laws.

"I hate the art world. I only became part of it because Banksy catapulted the movement into the stratosphere.

The photographer documented more than a decade working with the mystery artist (PA)

"It was a ride - however, I'm glad I'm out of it and about to enter the next ride."

Lazarides worked with Banksy during his early years, and many of his photos have never been seen before.

The 250-page book, Banksy Captured, will reveal images from more than a decade of creativity and subversion.

Lazarides will offer limited-edition prints of his work at affordable prices in a bid to open art to a broader economic audience.

Banky's celebrated street art works are known for mysteriously appearing overnight (PA)
Steve Lazarides took pictures of the artist for his book, Banksy Captured (PA)

The first 50 people to buy his self-published and self-distributed book will receive a Banksy "Di-faced" £50 note, counterfeit currency featuring the face of Diana Princess of Wales.

Lazarides hails from Banksy's reputed home town of Bristol, and was commissioned to create the artist's portrait in 1997, starting an 11-year partnership.

He has worked as his agent, photographer, driver, and gallerist.

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