Blek le rat

Context

Just a quick reminder about the context of graffiti in France in the later years of the 20th century. Because even though this art took place in America, it really influenced the french street art too and artists such as Blek le Rat.  In France, graffiti really started in the 60s, as a new form of art inspired by the american hip hop culture. At the beginning, the slogans of the artists were really intellectual, using humor and politic messages. But as the years went by, graffiti’s meanings became less and less deep as the artists wanted to have more fun and really communicate with the public. We can definitly say that Blek le Rat was the very first french street artist to be recognized for his art.

Message

Society – Gangs joconde – all arts the same -

Banksy

Considered by far as a godfather of the french street art, Blek the rat has clearly influenced many artists around the world. Some will even say that they belong to "Blek School". The richness of the artist's influence and the diversity of his art really communicates with all the generations.
  Banksy said in an interview, "Whenever I paint something, I discover that Blek the rat had already done it 20 years ago!" He was really influenced by Blek as you can see with this work below which basically represents a rat, the signature of Blek . Blek le rat does not consider Banksy as an artist though, but rather as an "excellent critic of society".

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