“I want the characters of the paintings to walk out of the museums to give them back to the people of the city”

Blek le Rat, or Xavier Prou, is a French graffiti artist, born November 15, 1951 in the suburbs of Paris. He studied printmaking and painting at the École National Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. He uses stencils and spray paint to create wall paintings, often conveying provocative and controversial statements. The artist’s interest in social commentary, has had a major influence on street artists around the world, including Banksy. He focuses on topics such as religion, the economy, and the military, in such a comedic manner that is necessary for graffiti artists.

Last Tango
Last Tango in Paris
The Anarchist-L’Anarchiste
The Man Who Walks Through Walls
Homeless
Ballerina
Ballerina with Rats