For those of you visiting the tunnel since Monday you may have noticed a new piece of art on the walls of LSA's link tunnel. We're delighted to be able to announce that it is by non other than the legend that is Blek le Rat and marks the opening of his first exhibition in the UK for 10 years.
Blek, who has influenced generations of street artists around the world, boasts a subtle social commitment and considers his images as a gift he gives to the city. His works often represent solitary individuals that can been countered in the urban space – women, children, old people, and all kinds of contemporary characters.
Blek le Rat’s work has influenced and inspired many stencil artists like American artists Swoon and Logan Hicks and the world-renowned Banksy who previously stated, ‘Every time I think I’ve painted something slightly original; I find out that Blek le Rat has done it as well. Only twenty years earlier’.
To celebrate Blek le Rat’s return to London, he has not only created new works for the gallery but for London’s streets too. Blek has created a new artwork within the Link Tunnel, which is usually not permitted but special access has been granted for ‘The Father of Stencil Graffiti’ to undertake a new stencil which undoubtedly will inspire the next generations of street artists around the world.
The work will be protected by Perspex to allow Blek le Rat’s work to live forever. The artwork will be part of a new series of permanent artworks at Leake Street Arches celebrating established artists who rose to fame from streets just like tunnel.