Rats are iconic in Banksy street art because they are emblematic of street art itself. Rats are also a symbol for the millions of people in the world who face injustice and unfairness in the so-called “rat race.” Banksy wrote this about rats in his 2005 book Wall and Piece:

“If you are dirty, insignificant and unloved then rats are the ultimate role model.” Banksy rats reference the so-called father of stencil graffiti,” Blek Le Rat. This French stencil artist, who made his name in the 1980s, was similarly fond of rats as subjects because of their massive, if negatively perceived, impact on populations.

It is part of the Placard Rat series, a trilogy of three screen prints released in 2004 featuring the artist's iconic rat holding up a placard bearing “Get Out While You Can.”

The other two screen prints of Placart Rat are “Because I’m worthless” and “Welcome to Hell.”

There were 75 signed and 175 unsigned prints of this work with a mixture of pink and red colorways.