Rats are among the most recognisable figures in Banksy’s art. Small, resourceful and often unwelcome, they move through spaces where they are rarely invited. In his work, they can suggest persistence, defiance and the ability to survive at the margins of society.

These rat images are associated with Dismaland, Banksy’s temporary art project in Weston-super-Mare in 2015. One rat holds a bazooka, giving the small animal an unexpectedly powerful and threatening presence. The contrast between its size and its weapon brings Banksy’s dark humour to a familiar motif.