Sweet Dreams by Blek Le Rat (All Photos By Gail)

My vote for the first Must See Show of NYC’s Fall Art Season is iconic stencil artist Blek Le Rat’s Ignorance is Bliss at Jonathan LeVine Gallery. While Saturday’s opening reception was comparatively sparsely attended, this made for a great viewing experience, perfect photo snapping conditions and a chance to talk to the artist himself, who was on hand to sign cards, pose for photos and, in general, be an all around nice, cool guy. Blek Le Rat!

Rope Pulling

Ignorance is Bliss is Le Rat’s largest body of work to date and his second solo exhibit at the Gallery.

David with Kalashnikov

The exhibit features a series of works on canvas as well as one bronze, marking the first time the artist has worked in sculpture. The gilded bronze piece depicts Michaelangelo’s David holding a rifle, and is based on a stencil that Blek le Rat has stenciled on the streets of cities all over the world. The sculpture also features a small rat by David’s feet (sadly, the rat is slighting obscured by David’s leg in the photo above). This iconic rat is found throughout the artist’s work, and, coincidentally, is also found repeatedly in the work of Banksy, for whom Le Rat is a direct and prominent influence.

Avida Dollars (Salvador Dali Portrait)

Spray Can

Ignorance is Bliss fills all rooms of the Gallery — rare for the LeVine space, which can co-exhibit work by up to three featured artists at one time.

Sibyl and Power of Ignorance

The Big Race

Vicious

It’s always fun to see someone re-interpret this popular shot of the late Sid Vicious by photographer Dennis Morris.

Blek Le Rat is a legend and his work has influenced everyone, so do come out and see this show while you can!

Blek Le Rat’s Ignorance is Bliss will be on Exhibit Through October 5th, 2013 at Jonathan LeVine Gallery, Located at 529 West 20th Street, 9th Floor in the Chelsea Gallery District.

3 Blind Rats