Banksy: Gangsta Rat

Banksy: Gangsta Rat

Originally appearing as a mural in London in 2004, Banksy's 'Gangsta Rat' and its varying colour-ways produced in limited edition print, has now become one of the artist's most recognisable motifs.

“I’d been painting rats for three years before someone said ‘that’s clever, it’s an anagram of art’ and I had to pretend I’d known that all along.”

- Banksy (an excerpt from 'Wall and Peace')

In homage to the urban art and music scene that was fashionable in the UK in the 1980s and 1990s, Banksy's fury friend stands defiantly against a spray paint back drop complete with baseball cap, gold chain and boom box.

Produced in 2015 by Pictures On Walls, the limited edition colour-ways for Gangsta Rat feature vibrant pinks and greens, and were printed available in different edition sizes, the most sought being (Mint Green) limited to a mere eight.

The significance of the motif of the rat and why it has featured so strongly in Banksy's past work is likely due to their endearing nature and rebellious spirit, which is echoed by the now enigmatic street artist himself.

“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 civilisations to their knees. If you are dirty, insignificant and unloved then rats are the ultimate role model."

- Banksy (an excerpt from 'Wall and Peace')