Remaining anonymous coupled with becoming a globally recognized figure is no easy feat; it seems almost a requirement of celebrity status that the entire world know your name and face. The crux of what has catapulted some into the spotlight also necessitates a need for anonymity. For street artists and superheroes alike, this is the case—vital to their continued success exists a need to protect one’s identity for fear of backlash or legal repercussions.

The last decade marked a monumental shift as the art market turned its eye toward the street; leading the charge are longtime icons Shepard Fairey, JR and Banksy. For street artists, revealing the “human behind the tag” and capitalizing on their branded monikers is all about timing and intent. Too early or late and they will have missed the window to transition to the white cube. For some this was never an objective, meaning their identities may forever remain shrouded in mystery.

more work by JR

The current poster child for the activist side of the street art movement is charismatic photographer JR—a high-profile, globally recognized artist that was the 2011 TED Grant winner. His list of accolades includes exhibitions at the Tate Modern, Venice Biennale, MOCA and the Dallas Contemporary. Recently he covered Times Square with New York City portraits as a part of his ever-expanding “Inside Out” project, which has included 200,000 participants from 112 countries submitting portraits. Extending his reach, JR has released several documentary-style films, and is working with the NYC Ballet on their NYCB Art Series 2014.

The most notorious of all, Banksy, continues to capitalize on his anonymity, begging the question: How it is possible for an unnamed human to be on Time magazines’ “Top 100 Most Influential People of 2010,” or be given an Oscar nomination or have multiple works sell for over a million dollars at auction? We are forced to wait patiently and continue the “Where’s Waldo” search for his next endeavor.

Banksy’s work

The final of the big three is one of the original street art crossovers. Shepard Fairey is known for his infamous OBEY campaign, clothing line and controversial Obama “Hope” poster, which nearly landed him in jail. While not as visible a public figure as JR, there are millions of human billboards wearing OBEY clothing and propelling Fairey’s subversive vision onward.

The question remains—stay anonymous, true to your street roots or shoot for the stars and be branded a sellout. There has to be a middle ground. It is undeniable that for these artists celebrity status doesn’t simply open doors, it gives them an all-access pass to the most prized walls in the world—in the full light of day.

One of Banksy’s largely publicized art acts was smuggling his work into the Tate Britain, hanging it on a gallery wall and leaving undetected. With JR’s status, there was no sneaking past security. The Tate Modern simply asked him to wheatpaste the building facade.

Bansky?