Banksy’s rats are seen as a symbol for the millions of people in the world who face injustice and unfairness in the so-called ‘rat race.’ In his 2005 book, ‘Wall and Piece’, Banksy wrote: “If you are dirty, insignificant and unloved, then rats are the ultimate role model.” 

Banksy’s rats also references 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 ability to plague the human population. 

‘Get Out While You Can’ is part of Banksy’s Placard Rat series, a trilogy of three screen prints released in 2004 featuring the artist's iconic rat holding up a placard with a written message. The other two screen prints of the Placard Rat feature the phrases ‘Because I’m Worthless’ and ‘Welcome to Hell.’  

There were 75 signed and 175 unsigned prints of this work, in a  mixture of pink and red colourways.