Lithograph, Fabriano Cotton Privilege heavyweight veline paper, 70 x 50 cm (sheet).
Limited edition, numbered in pencil 80/150, hand-signed in pencil under the composition, publisher's dry stamps: p.d." P.O.W. PRINTMAKING", l.d. graphic mark, on the back hologram "verification of authenticity".
Original certificate: editor Gafiart UK, ( stamp), confirms under the agreement of1971 ownership of the dies for the limited edition of 150 , confirms the signature of the author, and dry stamps .
Banksy is a British street artist who has gained international fame for his provocative and often politicallyengagedworks. His works, mostly done in stencil techniques,can befound on the streets of cities around the world. Banksy is known forremaining anonymous, and hisidentity is still the subject of speculationtoday. His art often includes humorous graphics and symbols that are combined with slogans. The overall message of his works is anti-war, anti-capitalist and pacifist.Among his best-known works are "Girl with a Balloon," "Bomb Hugger," "Police Kids," "Pulp Fiction" and "Flower Thrower" or "Rat Love."
The Banksy work you describe depicts a rat with "radar" and is one of his signature works, in which he combines satire with social commentary. The ratappearsfrequentlyinBanksy'sworkand hasdeepsymbolism - as atenaciousand resilient creature, the rat is a symbol of rebellion against the system and whatoverwhelmsindividuals insociety. Banksyuses thisanimaltoshowthatwhile it is treated as a pest, it isat the same time capable of surviving in almostany conditions - just like humans.
In this work, the rat is holding a device resembling a radar or meter, whichcan beinterpreted asan attempt to detect or targetsomething invisible or difficult tosee.This couldbe an allusion to the control ofsociety, surveillance and manipulation thatmodern technologyapplies to people. Banksy avoids attributingonly aestheticvalues to hiswork- the workshave messagesthat touch on realsocial and politicalissues.
Banksy isalsooften drawn toirony and criticism ofthe modern world,which often tracksor restricts citizens, even without their knowledge.TrackingRadarcanthereforealso beread as awarning or areflection on the current state ofsociety.
