Love Rat first emerged as a street art mural in Liverpool, adorning the door of an abandoned house. This motif, iconic to Banksy's repertoire, also graced the side of a pub before its removal. Depicting a rat wielding a paintbrush, the image is quintessential Banksy: executed in his distinctive stencil style, with fresh, blood-red paint dripping from a heart it has just painted.
Promoted on Banksy's website as "ideal for a cheating spouse," Love Rat provokes contemplation on the dual nature of love, capable of both joy and pain. This piece fits within Banksy's broader artistic approach, notably explored in his 2005 book Wall and Piece, where he muses on rats: "[Rats] exist without permission. They are hated, hunted and persecuted. They live in quiet desperation amongst the filth. And yet they are capable of bringing entire civilizations to their knees. If you are dirty, insignificant and unloved then rats are the ultimate role model." Love Rat not only captures the essence of Banksy's social commentary but also underscores his ability to imbue street art with profound and provocative meaning, challenging societal norms and perceptions through his artistry.