Blek le Rat was born Xavier Prou in Boulogne-Billancourt, Paris in 1951. He's an artist who was the first of his time to employ stencils and spray paint for fast, high contrast images on city walls.  Between 1971 and 1982, he studied etching, lithography, painting and architecture at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-arts de Paris. He began his artwork in Paris in 1981. His early influences include Richard Hamilton and John Fekner.  Blek's stencils have travelled and you can see them in almost any major cities around the world. He has exhibit his work in major galleries and venues such as the Jonathan LeVine Gallery, NYC and in those recent years has been internationally acclaimed.  ‘’ Everytime I paint something I always discover that Blek le Rat has done it simply 20 years ago’’ (Banksy).  From Figaro Beaux-arts magazine.
Known as the godfather of stencil graffiti art, Blek le Rat has been the great inspiration for artists worldwide including Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Space Invader, WK Interact, and Above.  Blek le Rat is the most wanted street artist right now on the French art market and still his prices are low compare to Jonone and Banksy.