13 episodes

The story of Banksy's rise, the stunts, the culture and the story of how the work became so valuable.

The Banksy Story BBC Radio 4

    • Arts
    • 4.4 • 81 Ratings

The story of Banksy's rise, the stunts, the culture and the story of how the work became so valuable.

    Welcome to The Banksy Story

    Welcome to The Banksy Story

    James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he gets closer than close to Banksy's secret world to tell the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the anonymous figure who became a household name, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him.
    Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
    Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
    Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
    Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
    Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
    With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Keith Wickham, Harriet Carmichael, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren

    • 2 min
    1. The Mild, Mild West

    1. The Mild, Mild West

    James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman, Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him.
    James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.
    In this episode, how did the city of Bristol, in the south west of England, help to shape Banksy and his art? And will James and Duncan find the person they're looking for?
    Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
    Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
    Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
    Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
    Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
    Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
    With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.
    An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

    • 22 min
    2. Love & Death & BMX

    2. Love & Death & BMX

    James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him.
    James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.
    In this episode, James finds someone from Banksy's secret team, but will they talk?
    Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
    Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
    Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
    Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
    Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
    Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
    With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.
    An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

    • 18 min
    3. Santa's Ghetto

    3. Santa's Ghetto

    James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him.
    James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride
    In this episode, an incident at the Christmas Santa's Ghetto exhibition helps Steph prove herself to Banksy.
    Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
    Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
    Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
    Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
    Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
    Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
    With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.
    An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

    • 19 min
    4. Reverse Heists

    4. Reverse Heists

    James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him.
    James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.
    In this episode, Banksy's hilarious reverse heists at the world's best museums and galleries gain him some serious notoriety.
    Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
    Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
    Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
    Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
    Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
    Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
    With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.
    An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

    • 21 min
    5. Crude Oils

    5. Crude Oils

    James Peak isn't an art critic, or even a journalist. He's a Banksy super-fan, and in this series he, and his soundman Duncan, get closer than close to Banksy's secret world - telling the story of the graffiti kid who made spraying walls into high art, the household name who is completely anonymous, the cultural phenomenon who bites the hand that feeds him.
    James persuades a member of Banksy's secret team – someone who worked closely with the artist when they were starting to cut through – to talk about the experience. The story that results is a rollercoaster ride.
    In this episode, Banksy's new show, Crude Oils, stars 200 live rats scuttling about the gallery floor. It certainly brings in the crowds.
    Written, Produced and Presented by James Peak
    Sound & Commentary: Duncan Crowe.
    Voices: Keith Wickham & Harriet Carmichael
    Music: Alcatraz Swim Team & Lilium
    Series Mixing: Neil Churchill
    Executive Producer: Philip Abrams
    With special thanks to Hadrian Briggs, Pete Chinn, Patrick Nguyen, John Higgs and Steph Warren.
    An Essential Radio production for BBC Radio 4

    • 16 min

Customer Reviews

4.4 out of 5
81 Ratings

81 Ratings

Darth Carson ,

Brilliant podcast

I love this pod because I’m a bit of a banksy fan and this podcast brings him to life for me thanks so much

Jon Hatfield ,

A great listen

Thoroughly enjoyable podcast, just as much about Steph as it is about Banksy but her story is as equally interesting as Banksy’s.

Laura P 2023 ,

Great listen

Loved this. Great telling of Banksys story.

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