Subliminal Projects 

Blek le Rat made this work titled "Subliminal Projects" using stencils, a medium that has been a staple of his artistic expression. Here we see a group of soldiers who have been drawn with stark monochromatic contrast. What's striking is the image of the woman at the edge of the frame who appears to be using a spray can. Consider that Blek le Rat emerged as a street artist in Paris during the 1980s. During this time Paris was experiencing a rise in urban subcultures and a growing interest in graffiti and street art as forms of social commentary. These actions often challenged traditional art institutions and the established art market, and they reflected a DIY ethic and a desire to democratize art. Blek le Rat’s use of stencils allowed him to quickly reproduce images in public spaces, making his art accessible to a broad audience. His figures often carried messages of social and political critique, and the use of popular visual languages helped him to address social structures of his time. The meaning of this work is contingent on this social and institutional context.