About this artwork

The Placard Rats series features a disgruntled rat holding up a picketing placard. Each of the three street art prints has a different message written on the placard. Because I'm Worthless was released in 2004 alongside Get Out While You Can and Welcome To Hell. Banksy uses the rat as a symbol for the "rat race" we are all living in and the injustice that it causes. It's also a reference to the French graffiti artist, Blek Le Rat, also known as "the father of stencil graffiti." "They exist without permission. They are hated, hunted and persecuted. They live in quiet desperation amongst the filth. And yet they are capable of bringing entire civilisations to their knees. If you are dirty, insignificant and unloved then rats are the ultimate role model." - Banksy, Wall and Piece (2005)