Born Xavier Prou in 1951 in Boulogne-Billancourt, Blek le Rat is a French stencil artist. In 1972, he entered the prestigious École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. During a trip to New York while still a student, he found inspiration and began creating art. In 1977, he continued his studies by enrolling in an architecture school, which allowed him to better understand the urban environment and adapt his works accordingly. In 1981, Xavier Prou started tagging in the streets with his friend Gerard, and together they decided to use the pseudonym "Blek," inspired by one of their favorite Italian comic book characters, Blek le Roc.

The duo decided to use stencils as their primary tool to create a unique identity. Their favorite districts for tagging were the 14th and 18th arrondissements of Paris. In 1982, Gerard left the group, and that’s when Xavier Prou renamed himself Blek le Rat. He added "le Rat" because he saw the animal as the last creature free in the city. He initially tagged small rats, then expanded his work to include a series of characters, the first being an old man with a cap. A travel enthusiast, Blek le Rat left his mark in several countries, including the United States, Germany, Italy, and Uruguay.

Blek le Rat also produced a number of works on canvas, clearly marked by his signature style. Today, his art is exhibited in Paris at the Loft Gallery on Rue des Beaux-Arts and at the Jean Paul Christophe Gallery on Avenue Matignon. Considered one of the pioneers of street art in France, Blek le Rat is now globally recognized for his groundbreaking work and style. His works are regularly featured in the art market, and it is common to see Blek le Rat pieces at auction. In response to growing demand, Aguttes Auction House launched its STREET ART department in 2011.

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