Rats!

Banksy and Blek Le Rat

“Every time I think I’ve painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek Le Rat has done it as well. Only
twenty years earlier.”
Banksy
Banksy’s use of the ‘rat’ anagram is particularly clever and fitting. The rat is ubiquitous in urban
environments, and Banksy’s use of it in his art highlights the decay and grittiness of urban life. By using
the ‘rat’ anagram, Banksy also makes a statement about the nature of art itself. Like the rat, his art can be
found in unexpected places and thrive even in the most unlikely environments.

Banksy’s rat is a poignant symbol that reflects the life of graffiti artists in many ways. Just like the rat,
graffiti artists exist without permission and are constantly on the run, fearing the wrath of city councils
who hunt them down and eradicate their work. In the eyes of many, they are nothing more than pests, a
nuisance to be dealt with rather than respected for their art. As Banksy himself said, rats …

“They exist without permission. They are hated, hunted, and persecuted. They live in quiet desperation amongst
the filth. And yet they are capable of bringing entire civilizations to their knees.” Banksy

Like rats, Banksy must navigate the city’s underbelly in order to create his art.