Xavier Prou, better known to the art world as Blek le Rat, is widely regarded as the ‘Father of Stencil Graffiti.’ Born in 1951 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris, he was one of the first artists to introduce graffiti to France and is considered the pioneer of the stencil movement in street art.

Blek le Rat’s journey into street art began with a trip to New York in 1971, where he encountered the explosion of wildstyle graffiti across subways, basketball courts, and city walls. He was captivated by the rebellious energy of the movement, but when he began painting in Paris in 1981, he chose the stencil technique, believing it better suited the city’s architecture and classical aesthetic.

His first stencils depicted small black rats, which he placed along the walls of Paris. The rat, an anagram of the word ART, became his signature motif, representing freedom, rebellion, and survival. As Blek once said, “The rat is the only animal that will survive the apocalypse.”

In 1983, Blek expanded his work by introducing life-sized human stencils, making him the first artist to transform stencil graffiti from basic lettering into figurative street art. His works quickly became iconic and left an undeniable mark on the urban landscape.

Unlike traditional graffiti artists, Blek’s work carried a deeper philosophical and social message. His pieces often featured solitary figures, including women, children, elderly individuals, and contemporary urban characters. These figures were meant to bring art to the people and provoke thought about societal issues.

Inspired by the great masters of classical art, Blek incorporated elements from Caravaggio, Michelangelo, Guido Reni, and Leonardo da Vinci into his work. His goal was to liberate classical characters from the confines of museums and return them to the streets, making art accessible to everyone.

“I would like to bring the characters out of museums to return them to the people of the city.”

Blek le Rat’s work evolved beyond artistic expression into a powerful tool for social and political commentary. In the mid-2000s, his focus shifted to political activism. One of his most impactful projects was the Florence Aubenas campaign, where he pasted hundreds of posters calling for the release of the kidnapped journalist in Iraq. This moment was pivotal for Blek, as he realised the power of his art in influencing public discourse.

Another notable series was his Beggar and Homeless series, in which he depicted homeless individuals to challenge societal neglect. By placing these striking images in major cities across Europe, America, and Australia, Blek sought to confront both authorities and the public with the stark reality of homelessness. As he put it, “Sometimes images have more impact than reality.”

Despite facing legal challenges, including arrests and fines, Blek le Rat remained committed to his craft. Over the years, he refined his stencil techniques, producing increasingly complex and detailed artworks. His influence on the street and graffiti art movement has been profound, inspiring generations of urban artists.

Blek’s journey began on the streets of Paris, where his early stencils of small black rats became a defining part of the urban landscape. Over time, his work evolved beyond street interventions to the world of galleries and museums. Initially regarded as a rebellious act of defiance, his stencil art is now recognised for its artistic and cultural significance, earning him a place in esteemed collections and exhibitions worldwide.

His work has been displayed in prestigious galleries and institutions, where he has continued to challenge perceptions of street art, proving that this once-underground movement belongs in the mainstream art world. Through exhibitions in London, New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, Blek has cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in contemporary street and graffiti art.

The connection between Blek le Rat and Banksy is one of the most fascinating relationships in street art history. While Banksy is often credited with popularising stencil graffiti, Blek le Rat pioneered the technique decades earlier. His impact on Banksy—and the broader stencil movement—is undeniable.

Blek le Rat’s small black rats, which first appeared in Paris in the early 1980s, were a direct precursor to Banksy’s own rat stencils, which have become a defining element of his work. For both artists, the rat symbolises rebellion, survival, and artistic intervention in the urban landscape. But their connection goes beyond imagery—both use stencils to deliver sharp social and political commentary, turning city walls into canvases for messages that challenge authority, consumerism, and injustice.

Banksy himself has openly acknowledged the influence of Blek le Rat, once stating:

“Every time I think I’ve done something slightly original, I find out that Blek le Rat has already done it.” — Banksy.

Despite the comparisons, Blek le Rat has always maintained a respectful view of Banksy, recognising him not as an imitator but as an artist who has expanded and evolved the stencil graffiti movement to new heights. While Banksy remains anonymous, elusive, and wrapped in mystery, Blek le Rat has been open about his identity, embracing his role as the pioneer of stencil graffiti and continuing to create works that inspire new generations of street artists.

Today, their art stands side by side in history—Blek le Rat as the father of stencil graffiti and Banksy as the artist who propelled it into the global mainstream. Together, they have cemented stencil art as one of the most powerful tools of visual protest and urban expression in contemporary culture.

Woodbury House has the privilege of working closely with Blek le Rat, acting as his exclusive representative in the United Kingdom, championing his work and bringing his legendary pieces to collectors worldwide. As a gallery specialising in street art, we recognise the historical and cultural importance of Blek’s contribution to the movement and continue to ensure his work is accessible, appreciated, and preserved for future generations.

Woodbury House first brought Blek le Rat back to the United Kingdom after more than a decade of not exhibiting here in 2023 with their sell-out show ‘The Return of The Rat’. The show’s title paid homage to Blek le Rat’s long-awaited return to London and celebrated his enduring impact on the global street art scene.

Following the success of ‘The Return of The Rat’, Woodbury House hosted ‘War & Peace’ by Blek le Rat in 2024, another solo exhibition that garnered significant press interest and became another highly successful show.

Both solo exhibitions at Woodbury House were extensively documented, with mini-documentaries produced to capture the artist’s process, vision, and the reception of his work. These films introduced Blek le Rat’s art to a new audience, offering greater depth, insight, and appreciation to collectors globally.

For those looking to acquire exclusive works by Blek le Rat, Woodbury House offers:

• Accessibility to works on the Primary Market

• Acquiring works directly from the studio of Blek le Rat

• Unrivalled Provenance

• Exclusive acquisitions

• Superior-quality artworks

• Unmatched insight and knowledge

As the #1 ranked art gallery on Trustpilot in London, many of the gallery’s glowing reviews stem from their help in helping collectors acquire Blek le Rat works. Woodbury House continues to be the single best access point for the Blek le Rat market, ensuring that his impact on the art world endures for generations to come.

Are you interested in upcoming exhibitions, available works, exclusive insights, or unique opportunities? Let’s connect and explore the world of Blek le Rat together.