Blek le Rat (b. 1951)

Xavier Prou, known globally as Blek le Rat, is widely regarded as the founding father of stencil graffiti—a title earned not only through his pioneering vision but also his enduring influence across generations of street artists.

Born in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris in 1951, Blek began his journey into art through the formal study of architecture and fine art at École des Beaux-Arts and the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. It was during a formative trip to New York City in the 1970s that he first encountered the burgeoning graffiti movement, inspiring him to reinterpret its visual language in a distinctly European context.

In 1981, Blek began painting on the streets of Paris using stencils—a technique he found more appropriate for the historic architecture of the city. His first works were of small black rats, scattered across walls and alleyways. These rats, an anagram of the word ‘ART,’ became a symbol of freedom, persistence, and subversion. “The rat is the only free animal in the city,” Blek said.

By 1983, Blek evolved his practice from animal imagery to life-sized human figures, introducing socio-political commentary into public space and marking a pivotal moment in the development of urban art. His pieces often depicted vulnerable or overlooked figures—elderly individuals, refugees, musicians—imbued with quiet resistance and dignity. In doing so, Blek helped elevate graffiti from territorial expression to socially conscious public art.

His influence can be seen across the globe, but perhaps nowhere more visibly than in the work of Banksy, who famously stated:

“Every time I think I’ve done something slightly original; I find out that Blek le Rat has already done it, only twenty years earlier”

Despite multiple arrests and the ephemeral nature of his early street works, Blek’s artistic language only became more sophisticated over time. He continued developing his stencilling technique and began working with layered imagery, refined linework, and conceptual symbolism. Drawing inspiration from classical painters such as Caravaggio and Leonardo da Vinci, Blek sought to liberate fine art from museums and restore it to the people.

His legacy includes large-scale urban interventions across cities like London, Rome, New York, Los Angeles, and Berlin—as well as appearances in cultural institutions, international exhibitions, and documentary films. His contribution to street art history has been recognised by scholars, collectors, and artists alike as a foundational pillar of the movement.

Woodbury House is proud to act as the exclusive representative of Blek le Rat in the United Kingdom. Woodbury House continues to champion Blek le Rat globally, offering rare access to original works, private commissions, and immersive exhibition opportunities that deepen the collector experience. His work remains one of the most collected and studied within the genre, and Woodbury House is proud to curate this legacy for present and future generations.

From the alleyways of Paris to the walls of international galleries, Blek le Rat has transformed the perception of urban art. He remains a vital link between the classical and the contemporary, the rebellious and the refined. With his profound influence on global street culture and continued innovation through his stencil practice, Blek le Rat’s contribution to art history is not only foundational—it is ongoing.

To learn more about Blek le Rat enquire about available pieces, or hear about upcoming events and exhibitions, we’d be delighted to connect.