The Subversive Self-Portrait: Banksy’s “Haight Street Rat” and Beyond – Live Zoom Lecture with Dr. Leesa Rittelmann

Stenciled on the side of a bed-and-breakfast in San Francisco’s Haight St. district in 2010, the work now known as “Haight St. Rat” is a recurrent motif for the infamous street artist known as Banksy, who has likened his artistic persona to that of the rat who is “hated, hunted, and persecuted,” by authorities but “capable of bringing an entire civilization to its knees.” This illustrated Zoom lecture situates Banksy’s “Haight St. Rat” in a long tradition of artists’ self-portraits created to express their alienation from, and subversion of, mainstream culture and authoritative norms. Dr. Leesa Rittelmann is an Associate Professor of Art History at SUNY Fredonia.

Registration is required. There is no charge, but if you value this type of program, please consider a donation of $10 or above in order to assist us in continuing to provide you content in the future. Thank you.

This is a live Zoom lecture. Zoom is required to view the lecture. A link and passcode will be provided to all registrants 24 hours before the lecture. You will be sent the link via the e-mail used on Eventbrite to sign up for the program.