Regardless of Banksy’s true identity, Lazarides is focused on moving forward with his photography. “I’m excited to get back to what I love doing, which is taking pictures,” he says. “I just want to get back to the purity of what it’s all about.” As for the future, Lazarides is optimistic. “It feels good to be doing something that’s just for me,” he says. “I’m looking forward to what comes next.”
Lazarides, a former agent and friend of the mysterious street artist Banksy, is preparing to auction off a collection of rare memorabilia and artwork associated with the enigmatic figure. Among the items up for bidding is a set of 15 burner cell phones that Lazarides used to communicate with Banksy while protecting his identity.
In a recent interview, Lazarides revealed that he was once offered $10,000 by a prominent American art dealer to reveal Banksy’s true identity. Despite the tempting offer, Lazarides remained loyal to his friend and refused to betray his trust. He also shared details of their secretive communication methods, including meeting at a church to exchange burner phones every couple of weeks.
As Lazarides prepares to part ways with these valuable items, some may wonder if he will regret his decision to sell them. However, he insists that he is not sentimental about the past and does not need physical proof of his collaboration with Banksy. While he has kept a few personal mementos, such as angry notes from Banksy stuck to his computer screen, he is ready to move on from this chapter of his life.
Overall, Lazarides’s dedication to protecting Banksy’s anonymity and his decision to auction off these items reflect his respect for the artist and their shared history. Despite the potential for seller’s remorse, Lazarides is firm in his belief that his work with Banksy is complete and that he is ready to let go of these pieces of their shared past.