13 episodes
The Banksy Story BBC Radio 4
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- Arts
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4.7 • 29 Ratings
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The story of Banksy's rise, the stunts, the culture and the story of how the work became so valuable.
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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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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
Customer Reviews
Interesting Format
Really like the format but the best bit is the story of Steph really like her and her story. Whether you are interested in art or even Banksy it’s well worth listening to.
Worth a Listen
Witty storytelling, great concept for doing Banksy quotes (duping the voices of notable persons, which is effective and fun) and compelling interviews provide great insight into Banksy’s career span, anonymity and controversy and attempts to learn his identity.
A standout interview is with Steph Warren, who one hopes finds renewed success and continued wellness. Her contribution to the story really stood out, as did her loyalty to the artist. She has a beautiful soul, recovery is no easy path. Glad she’s got that crazy Eddie alongside her as a companion.
The art collector who has the Banksy print of surveillance cameras was also interesting, I found his voice to be quite odd-too perfect and unidentifiable as to country or continent. I thought perhaps it was altered or enhanced which is fine, but if it had been, James probably would have said so even if the reason had to be kept private. Otherwise, the gentleman has to have the greatest enunciation ever: English and Swiss schools?
For someone who isn’t a journalist, this felt like a polished presentation and report. Well done. Also enjoyed Duncan the sound guy’s insights, honest and decisive.
Thanks for the pod!
Good storytelling
Overall, this was good. The podcast has solid storytelling and interviews. I learned quite a bit about Banksy and his mystery. However, the sound bites that were inserted from random movies, etc. were so annoying and unnecessary.