Banksy explains why he uses tag of 'UK's most imprisoned graffiti writer' Tox in his work

Street artist Banksy has explained why he has used the tag of “London’s most imprisoned graffiti writer”, Tox, in the background of some of his works.

This week’s groundbreaking Big Issue takeover, masterminded by fellow notorious artist 10Foot, includes an unprecedented conversation between two artists – Banksy, the world’s most famous street artist, and TOX, a cultural phenomenon whose tag has been found on every London train for over more than decades.

It’s on sale from vendors and on the Big Issue Shop now.

“In several of my paintings I’ve put your tag in the background,” Banksy says to TOX. “I kind of use it to signify ‘generic urban decay, damage and abandonment’. No offence. I guess I should’ve asked beforehand, but is that OK?”

“I don’t mind,” TOX responds. “I always had people saying, ‘Banksy’s using your name, when are you going to call him and cash in, he owes you money,’ and I was like, ‘Nah I don’t care, he stuck me up, I don’t care, let him do it.’ I just cared about painting graffiti and stealing spray paint and being me init.”

In 2011, TOX was imprisoned for 26 months, and crown court prosecution barristers referred to him as “no Banksy”. This inspired Banksy to paint the legendary ‘child blowing bubbles’ in Camden Town.

In the interview, Banksy talks to TOX about how TOX was banned from carrying pens on public transport, under threat of jail time.

Banksy opens the interview: “Hello TOX. Are you allowed to carry pens on a bus yet?” (It was rumoured in graffiti circles that TOX had done so much damage and been caught so many times that he was banned from carrying any mark-making tool on public transport, under penalty of an immediate 30 day jail term.)

TOX responds: “It wasn’t 30 days, it was five years maximum cos it was breach of ASBO, I think that’s what you’re on about init? ASBO means antisocial behaviour order where they could lock you up for stuff that wasn’t actually a criminal offence, stuff like trespass and carrying a can of spraypaint.

“I done nine prison sentences in all, six months here, six months there, I got sent to prison for not having a train ticket once, a couple times for just possessing a can of spray paint without even using it. I served four months for having a glass bottle in my hand cos they said I could use it to scratch windows.

“From age 18 I was going in and out of Feltham [a young offender institution] with all the other unfortunate childhood souls of society.”

This complete takeover of the Big Issue launches alongside what has been described as “the most authentic exhibition of London graffiti culture ever held in the capital” – 10Foot, Tox, Fume – ‘LONG DARK TUNNEL’. The top-secret central London location will be disclosed on 21 March.

The exhibition’s opening night will feature an exclusive 10Foot, TOX 25 and FUME DDS limited edition print on sale with all proceeds coming to the Big Issue.

Northern Irish hip-hop trailblazers Kneecap have also contributed an Irish language poem to the Big Issue special, which has gone on sale today – St Patrick’s Day.

Writer Jonathan Meades has penned a short story for the magazine, and other contributors include the musician and composer Mica Levi who recently sold out the Barbican Centre, as well as war reporter and Popular Front founder Jake Hanrahan.

You can read Banksy’s full interview with TOX, in this week’s Big Issue. It can be bought from street vendors across the UK or online through the Big Issue Shop.

Do you have a story to tell or opinions to share about this? Get in touch and tell us more. Big Issue exists to give homeless and marginalised people the opportunity to earn an income. To support our work buy a copy of the magazine or get the app from the App Store or Google Play.