Blek Le Rat 'The Warbird' A/P's Available

Artist: Blek Le Rat
Title: The Warbird
Medium: Deckled 3 Color Screen Print
Size: 76 x 56 cm
Edition: A/P's
Price: €1,650

Blek le Rat, born Xavier Prou in 1951, is widely regarded as the father of stencil graffiti. He began his career in Paris during the early 1980s after studying etching and architecture at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts. Inspired by the New York graffiti scene but seeking a style that better suited the European urban landscape, he pivoted to stenciling as a more efficient way to leave a permanent mark on the city. His pseudonym refers to the character Blek le Roc from a comic strip, combined with a rearrangement of the letters in art to spell rat. This rodent became his early signature, symbolizing the spread of creative expression through city streets like a plague.

His influence on the global street art movement is immense, most notably serving as a primary inspiration for the British artist Banksy. Blek transitioned from small rodents to life-sized human figures, often depicting iconic characters, homeless individuals, or famous paintings. These works were designed to engage the public directly, bypassing the traditional gallery system to bring art to the masses. His technique allowed for intricate detail and rapid execution, which was essential for avoiding legal repercussions. Despite facing various arrests and fines throughout his career, he remained committed to the social and political power of public art. Today, his work is celebrated in major institutions and galleries worldwide, yet he maintains that the soul of his practice remains on the walls of the urban environment where he first started.