Mysterious British graffiti superstar Banksy was named 'Person of the Year' at the annual Webby Awards held in New York on Monday night, despite predictably being a no-show at the event.
The awards have carved a niche as one of the most followed measures of online greatness, and many other internet heroes attended Monday's celebration in New York.
The British street artist won the award for captivating New York and the world-at-large with his month-long pop up exhibition of graffiti on the streets of New York last October.
Banksy's "Better Out Than In" New York residency attracted a cult following, offering a new piece of street art each day.
These works were photographed and promoted on Instagram and his website www.banksyny.com.
Some of the works, however, enraged owners of defaced property, while he also attracted the criticism of then mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The awards show also commemorated the Web's 25th anniversary.
World Wide Web inventor Tim Berners-Lee addressed on the hotly debated topic of Internet neutrality.
"The Internet has got to be free and open and neutral," he said, getting a standing ovation with the words: "Up to us."
The Webby Awards honour achievement on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising and media, online film and video, mobile and apps, and social networking sites.
