Gangsta Rat, 2004

sebastien laboureau

May 15, 2021

Gangsta Rat, 2004

Editions: 150 signed, 350 unsigned

‘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 civilizations to their knees.’

Gangsta Rat combines spray-paint and black and white stenciling techniques. It depicts a black and white rat wearing a New York Mets baseball cap, a chain necklace, and carrying a ghetto blaster. The character portrayed is reminiscent of the New York underground style that was prevalent across the UK in the 1980s and 90s.

Gangsta Rat appears to have tagged “iPow” on the wall behind him in spray paint. The image is an ironic social commentary on the ubiquity of Apple products, whereas POW is a clear reference to Banksy’s print publisher: Pictures on Walls.

Pest Modernism

Banksy, Cut It Out, December 2004

Rats are one of Banksy’s greatest sources of inspiration and one of the most prolific subjects in his work. An anagram of ‘ART’, the rat is an allegorical tool used by Banksy to reveal the vices and flaws of the human race. The symbol of the rat is also closely associated with Banksy himself. Hunted down by the authorities, rats, like graffiti artists, tend to appear by night under the cover of darkness, and considered by much of society to be a pest (at least up to a few years ago…). By giving the figure of the rat a voice Banksy is speaking for those oppressed and defeated by the endless competition and consumerism of late capitalism.

Read Rat Business and Pest Modernism

Banksy’s appreciation for rats is often attributed to French stencil artist Blek le Rat, who is widely considered to be the father of stencil graffiti and is famous for introducing urban art to France in the 80’s, some 20 years before Banksy.

Gangsta Rat Peace, 2007
Spray-paint and stencil and screen-print on paper, double-sided
75.9×56.2 cm (29 7/8 x 22 1/8 inches)
Phillips New-York, 24 June 2021
USD 529,200

DESCRIPTION

Gangsta Rat

Year: 2004

Medium: Screen-print in colors on wove paper

Size: 50×30 cm (19 1/2 x 13 5/8 inches)

Publisher: Pictures on Walls

Editions

Main Edition (Red)
Signed Edition: 150
Unsigned Edition: 350

Colorway Editions

Blue, Orange, Grey: 61 signed each

Pink: 46 signed

Green: 20 signed

Mint Green: 8 signed

Artist’s Proofs Edition

61 signed AP (varying colors)

Yellow, Dark Grey, Blue: 10 signed each

Orange, Lime Green, Light Grey: 10 signed each

Red: 1 signed

Numbering and Signature

Numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right

COLORWAYS

Gangsta Rat (Blue), 2004

Edition: 61 signed

Gangsta Rat (Orange), 2004

Edition: 61 signed

Gangsta Rat (Grey), 2004

Edition: 61 signed

Gangsta Rat (Pink), 2004

Edition: 46 signed

Gangsta Rat (Green), 2004

Edition: 20 signed

Gangsta Rat (Mint Green), 2004

Edition: 8 signed

AUCTION RESULTS

1. Gangsta Rat (unsigned)

Gangsta Rat (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2024 at an average price of GBP 17,738 (USD 22,880). It sold at Forum Auctions, 0n 30 April 2024, for GBP 20,100 (USD 25,125), its highest price for 2024.

Gangsta Rat (unsigned) sold twice at auction in 2023, at Forum Auctions on 30 August 2023 for GBP 22,780 (USD 28,981), and at Sotheby’s online, on 26 September 2023 for GBP 25,400 (USD 30,896).

Gangsta Rat (unsigned) sold 3 times at auction in 2022, at an average price of GBP 35,207 (USD 44,960). It was sold for its highest price of GBP 38,100 (USD 48,006) at Bonhams in London on 27 April 2022.

Gangsta Rat (unsigned) sold 6 times at auction in 2021, for a total turnover of GBP 322,248 (USD 445,948) at an average price of GBP 53,708 (USD 74,325). It sold at Forum Auctions on 5 March 2021 for GBP 80,400 (USD 111,756) its highest price for 2021, and its world auction record.

2024 Auction Results

Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,600 / USD 20,764

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 304/350

SBI Art Auction: 14 September 2024
Estimated: JPY 3,000,000 – 5,000,000
JPY 3,220,000 / USD 22,750 / GBP 17,514

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint
Numbered and embossed on the lower right from the edition of 350

Forum Auctions: 30 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 18,000 – 22,000
GBP 15,000 (HAMMER)
GBP 20,100 / USD 25,125

BANKSY (b.1974)
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in black and red on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 350 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

2023 Auction Results

Gangsta Rat (unsigned) sold twice at auction in 2023, at Forum Auctions on 30 August 2023 for GBP 22,780 (USD 28,981), and at Sotheby’s online, on 26 September 2023 for GBP 25,400 (USD 30,896).

Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 25,000
GBP 25,400 / USD 30,896

BANKSY (b. 1974)
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 282/350 with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Forum Auctions: 30 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
HAMMER GBP 17,000
GBP 22,780 / USD 28,981

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in red and black on wove paper
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 350

2022 Auction Results

Bonhams London: 27 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 38,100 / USD 48,006
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR GANGSTA RAT (UNSIGNED) IN 2022

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 171/350 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower left

Forum Auctions: 24 April 2022
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 37,520 / USD 47,275

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp from the edition of 350, lower left

Tate Ward Auctions: 30 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 30,000 / USD 39,600

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Gangsta Rat, 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 129/350 in pencil

2021 Auction Results

Forum Auctions: 20 October 2021
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 50,000
GBP 27,000 (Hammer)
GBP 36,180 / USD 50,290

BANKSY (b.1974)
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 350 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp

Phillips New-York: 20 April 2021
Estimated: USD 25,000 – 35,000
USD 60,480

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 255/350 in pencil, from the unsigned edition, with the publisher’s blindstamp

International Art Center Aukland: 30 March 2024
Estimated: NZD 40,000 – 60,000
NZD 60,000 (HAMMER)
NZD 72,072 / USD 50,724 / GBP 36,757

BANKSY (British b. 1974)
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint, edition 110/350

Tate Ward Auctions: 24 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 45,000 / USD 62,550

BANKSY (British 1974-)
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 350 in pencil

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 60,000 (Hammer)
GBP 80,400 / USD 111,756
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR GANGSTA RAT (UNSIGNED)

BANKSY (b.1974)
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors
Numbered from the edition of 350 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Forum Auctions: 5 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 60,000 (Hammer)
GBP 80,400 / USD 110,148
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR GANGSTA RAT (UNSIGNED)

BANKSY (b.1974)
Gangsta Rat (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 350 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

2. Gangsta Rat (signed)

Gangsta Rat (signed) last sold at auction at Forum Auctions on 20 October 2021 for GBP 83,080 (USD 115,481). It sold at Forum Auctions on 7 December 2020 for GBP 154,100 (USD 206,494), its auction record.

Forum Auctions: 20 October 2021
Estimated: GBP 65,000 – 80,000
GBP 83,080 / USD 115,481

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in pencil, lower left
Numbered /150 in pencil, lower right

Forum Auctions: 7 December 2020
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 115,000 (HAMMER)
GBP 154,100 / USD 206,494
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR GANGSTA RAT (SIGNED)

BANKSY (b.1974)
Gangsta Rat (signed), 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed, dated and numbered from the edition of 150 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

3. Gangsta Rat Colorways

Christie’s online: 1 April 2025
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 56,700 / USD 73,256

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat – Pink, 2005
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered 14/46 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp

Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 114,300 / USD 142,055

Gangsta Rat (Lime Green A/P), 2004
Signed, dated and inscribed AP/41 in pencil, lower right
One of 10 artist’s proofs printed in this color combination
From the total edition of 61 artist’s proofs
printed in yellow, light grey, dark grey, blue, orange and red

Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 90,000
GBP 113,400 / USD 136,080

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat (Green), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower left
Numbered 11/20 in pencil, lower left

Sotheby’s London: 18 September 2018
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 25,000
GBP 68,750 / USD 90,525

BANKSY
Gangsta Rat (Mint Green), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 1/8
(one of only eight impressions printed in this color combination)

Bonhams London: 17 June 2015
Estimated: GBP 10,000 – 15,000
GBP 20,000 / USD 31,461

BANKSY (British, born 1975)

Gangsta Rat (Mint Green), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove
Signed and numbered 1/8 in pencil

Bonhams London: 17 April 2013
Estimated: GBP 5,000 – 8,000
GBP 13,125 / USD 20,007

BANKSY (b. 1975)

Gangsta Rat (Pink), 2005
Screenprint on paper
Signed and numbered 20/46

Gangsta Rat, 2004

‘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 civilizations to their knees.’

Pest Modernism

Read Rat Business and Pest Modernism