Stencil on Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London 

This stencil on Rivington Street in Shoreditch, London, is one of many by the French artist Blek le Rat. Active since the early 1980s, Blek le Rat is one of the first street artists in Paris, and is credited with influencing Banksy and the global street art movement. The piece depicts a figure with dark sunglasses, a suit, and what appears to be a lei made of shells. The figure carries an oversized bag with the artist’s name. This piece develops an alternative narrative by bringing a suit-clad, possibly wealthy figure to the streets. The work is particularly interesting when we consider how street art can democratize access to art, by bringing it into public spaces, while simultaneously giving a voice to those on the margins. Blek le Rat’s art insists on making its mark on the urban landscape, prompting us to think about who has the right to make their mark, and who is often erased in the process.