Blek le Rat: An interview and his art

Known internationally as the creator of life-sized stenciled graffiti, Blek le Rat (Xavier Prou) has some of his work filling the walls of Vertical Gallery, 1016 N. Western, for the month of April. 

An interview with Blek le Rat
"An American friend of mine, when I was a student at the École des Beaux Arts in Paris, told me that I had to go to New York because there would a be big surprise," explains the 66-year-old artist. "I came for the first time in summer 1972. It was the biggest shock of my life! 

"The culture was different. In France it was like being in prison but here was freedom. It was the start of graffiti here. The subways were painted. You'd see signatures like 'Taki 183' on properties. It was my first encounter with street art." 

Over the next few years he returned to the States several times and saw how the graffiti movement had grown. The year before his 1982 graduation in art and architecture, he decided to start his own street art. 

"I didn't want to imitate the American art because France is different. Our art, architecture, music is different. American pieces were not appropriate for the French architecture," he explains. 

"I was living in the 18th arrondissement district of Paris near the Montmartre Cemetery. I put thousands of rats into the area...even though there were millions already there," he says laughing. His were stenciled rat images and they became his signature. 

"In 1983, this New York guy, Richard Hambleton, who was Canadian born, came to Paris. He painted big pieces with paint and brush. The figures were in silhouette. They called him 'shadow man.' It was beautiful." 

Those large pieces influenced Prou to do large images, for which he is now known. "I've always been influenced by others. I've combined everything that I saw and make something on my own. 

"I don't think pure creation exists, we all are influenced by others." 

Since then, his style has been copied around the world. England's well known street artist, Banksy, says of Blek le Rat, "Every time I think I’ve painted something original I find out that Blek le Rat has done it as well, only 20 years earlier." 

Prou commented that graffiti can be found on the walls of the ancient Roman town of Pompeii. On a visit there, he saw such things as a drawing of a boat that had been scratched into a wall. 

The Show
A mix of small and large pieces, his favorite is that of a drum majorette. She shows a lot of power (she has broken the stick she carries) and her stance is one of determination. Painted primarily in red, the color adds strength to the subject. 

Another large piece is painted in blue. You first notice that the subject is familiar. It is the Mona Lisa, with her secretive smile. Then you notice a can of spray paint is in her hand and the signature rat is scurrying across the lower corner of the canvas. 

When asked about the Mona Lisa, Prou tells the story. The Italians would prefer that the Mona Lisa reside in Italy not France, even though DaVinci gave it to the king of France. So he, Prou, gave it back to them…sort of.

Laughing, he relays that someone wrote a "Thank you" on the wall. 

Prou's humor is at its most contemporary best in one image of a large rat taking a selfie! 

Viewing the Show
Up close and personal in the gallery is a great way to view the show. Another is a "virtual walk through." 

Jeffrey Gustis taped a walk-through on Friday and it will soon be available online. It will give viewers a way to see each piece again or for the first time, as though they are there in person. 

The Gallery hours are: Tuesday thorough Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday are by appointment only. The phone number is 773.697.3846 and they may be .