At the beginning of the pandemic in 2020 I started a new side-project that I called ‘Banksybase’. I’ve been an avid fan of the street artist ‘Banksy’ since my dad purchased a couple of his prints back in 2007.
The idea behind ‘Banksybase’ was to build a complete database of all Banksy works – street pieces, limited edition prints, sculptures and originals as well as a repository of as many auction sale results as possible.
I have a natural inclination to create lists, so combining these two mild obsessions felt like a no-brainer.
In July 2020 I started posting auction results as snapshots on Instagram and included details about the different prints, auction houses and final sale prices.
I had been working hard on building the database and putting together a webapp to package everything together.
It was always going to be a passion project and whilst it was a lot of fun to create during lockdown, I ran out of capacity to work on it once the world returned to normal.
One thing I’ve learned over the years as a side hustler is to always put projects on pause rather than stopping them permanently. Side hustles evolve from interests, and even when not actively pursued, those interests remain dormant in the mind, ready to be reignited in the future.
Whilst I was forced to close the app down due to running costs, I did save the databases I had built and made them available online.
Later in 2023 I renamed the project to ‘Banksy’s Mate’ and started to make videos about Banksy instead of just focusing on a database. In a short time I managed to accumulate ~5,000 subscribers across Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok and clocked up over 3 million video views.
In November 2024 I received a LinkedIn notification out of the blue, from a professor at Northwestern University to say that my ‘research’ had been used as part of Data Storytelling Class.
It’s a humbling feeling to know that work you created out of pure curiosity and interest has found its way into academia.
This experience has reinforced a valuable life lesson – curiosity is a compass that often leads us to unexpected destinations.
I never imagined my work on Banksybase would become a teaching tool at one of America’s premier journalism schools. I was simply following my interest, creating something I wished existed, and sharing it with others who might find it useful.
It’s a testament to the value of side projects and the importance of documenting and sharing our work, even when we’re unsure of its ultimate purpose.
If you’re considering starting a passion project, don’t let uncertainty about its eventual use hold you back. The simple act of following your interests can open doors you never knew existed.
Staying curious isn’t just about personal growth and development, it’s about contributing to a larger tapestry of knowledge and understanding.
Keep exploring, keep creating, and keep sharing. And if your interest fades, remember that it will always come back, so keep an open mind and archive your curiosity.
