Rats by Banksy

Drawing inspiration from French graffiti artist Blek le Rat, Banksy began his career stenciling rats across the streets of England, combined with phrases such as “Our Time Will Come”. Banksy’s rats have been interpreted as a symbol for the regenerative nature of street art. An anagram of the word ‘art’, the ‘rat’ along with the monkey is an allegorical tool used by Banksy in his criticism of the human race and society. His animals are often given human characteristics and are placed in unusual or comical situations.

“If you feel dirty, insignificant or unloved, then rats are a good role model. They exist without permission, they have no respect for the hierarchy of society, and they have sex 50 times a day.” – Banksy

The rat is also a symbol of Banksy himself, often being chased and hunted down by the authorities, and they also tend to appear at nighttime. In his book “Wall and Piece” from 2005, Banksy claims that rats “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. If you are dirty, insignificant and unloved then rats are the ultimate role model.”