It’s been revealed that world-renowned artist Banksy, said to be from Bristol, secretly married partner Joy Millward in a $100 ceremony at Chapel of the Bells in Las Vegas
A budget Las Vegas chapel known for neon lights and quickie weddings is at the centre of a surprising revelation about Banksy.
The elusive artist is said to have married partner Joy Millward in ceremony that cost just $100 (£75) at the Chapel of the Bells, a long-standing fixture on the Las Vegas Strip famed for its pink décor and no-frills services.
The low-cost wedding contrasts sharply with Banksy’s global status as one of the most valuable and mysterious figures in modern art. Newly-emerged ocuments show the artist used the name Robin Gunningham for the ceremony, despite already attracting worldwide attention under the Banksy alias at the time.
READ MORE: ‘I’m NOT Banksy’ Furious London builder hits out over mistaken identityREAD MORE: Banksy’s hidden life from ‘millions to name change and famous sidekick’The chapel itself has hosted a string of celebrity weddings over the decades, including Leslie Nielsen, Mickey Rooney and Beverly D’Angelo, and has appeared in films such as Indecent Proposal. But Banksy’s connection to the venue has remained largely under the radar.
The detail has emerged amid renewed scrutiny over the artist’s identity, with investigators again pointing to Gunningham, a former Bristol public schoolboy, as the man behind the pseudonym. Spanish private investigator Francisco Marco said the Las Vegas marriage record proved a crucial lead.
The investigator explained: “When you investigate someone, one of the most revealing documents is their marriage certificate – these are public records.
“I found that Robin Gunningham got married in Las Vegas in 2006. Las Vegas is a classic destination for discreet, quick weddings, ideal for someone who wants to leave as little trace as possible.
READ MORE: I stayed in colourful UK city often overlooked because of its famous neighbour“The interesting thing is that at that time, Banksy was already hugely famous – he had just held his ‘Barely Legal’ exhibition in Los Angeles – but the marriage certificate appeared under his real name, Gunningham, not under any alias. That gave me a key piece of the puzzle.”
At the time of the wedding, Banksy was rapidly building an international profile, following exhibitions in the United States and growing demand for his politically charged work.
Two decades later, he is believed to live quietly in rural Somerset under the name “David Jones”, keeping a low profile despite his reported multi-million-pound fortune.
Banksy has never confirmed his identity, and those close to him have warned that attempts to reveal it could affect both his safety and his work.
The discovery of his cut-price Las Vegas wedding offers a rare glimpse into the private life of one of the art world’s most secretive figures.
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