Banksy to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Banksy fans. Speculation had been rife that the creator of Girl with Balloon will announce his retirement from all public activities, at age 52, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 02/11/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an artist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an artist-painter just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouBanksy

For a little while on Sunday evening, #ThankYouBanksy was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouBanksy.”
— @DesireePlum, 1 Nov 2026

“I thought Banksy retired about 5 years ago?!?”
— @millythom, 1 Nov 2026

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