Get Out While You Can portrays a rat standing up on two feet, like a human, and holding up a placard reading “Get Out While You Can” in bright red or pink writing. The rat, wearing a necklace bearing a peace sign, is seemingly engaged in a form of social protest as well as a warning of a danger still to come. The violence of the message is contrasted by the peace sign around the rat’s neck in a complex double meaning, characteristic of Banksy’s work. The sign, in bright red splattered paint inevitably reminds the viewer of blood.

Placard Rats were released by Pictures on Walls at the price of GBP 74.99 for an unsigned print, and GBP 150 for a signed print.

In the early 2000’s Banksy’s rats could be found all over London. Most of them have been lost to the various graffiti cleaning squads, removed for profit chancers, or painted over. However, this Placard Rat in Chiswell Street, London, has survived the ravages of time.