Blek Le Rat
Blek le Rat (France, 1951) is a pioneering street artist, often hailed as the 'Father of stencil graffiti.' He began stenciling rats on Parisian walls in 1981, symbolizing freedom and the spread of art. His innovative techniques have profoundly influenced urban art, notably inspiring artists like Banksy.

What is appropriation?
Appropriation in art involves using pre-existing images or objects with little or no modification. This technique has played a significant role across various art forms, including visual arts, music, performance, and literature. In visual arts, appropriation refers to the practice of adopting, sampling, recycling, or borrowing elements—or even entire forms—of existing visual culture, integrating them into new works to create meaning or critique.