To learn more about Banksy's rats, see our guide here. Blek le Rat began using stencils to spraypaint rats onto the streets of Paris as early as the late '70s, bringing the urban Street Art movement to France for the first time.
Rats feature heavily in Banksy’s iconography, thanks in part to the influence of prolific French street artist, Blek le Rat. The placard rat is among Banksy’s most recognisable motifs, appearing time and time again in in situ murals on the streets of London, and around the world. The whole series comprises 75 signed prints and 175 unsigned prints in red and pink colourways.
The other two works in the series, titled Get Out While You Can and Because I’m Worthless, were released in similarly-sized editions. Indeed, this work seems to encapsulate the artist's anti-establishment beliefs, whilst taking aim at modern life in the over-surveilled city. The artist’s well-known, fiercely-critical stances towards law enforcement, militarism, capitalism and consumerism are palpable here. In a complex double entendre characteristic of Banksy’s print-based works, the violence of the print's handwritten message contrasts with the peace sign, or CND symbol, held around the rat’s neck. Handwritten in bright red splattered paint, the text is reminiscent of blood. Said rat, painted in Banksy’s typical black and white stencilled style, stands up on its hind legs holding a placard complete with the words ‘ Welcome To Hell’. Part of the 2004 Placard Rat print series, Welcome to Hell shows Banksy’s iconic stencilled rat character, clutching a protest placard.
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