Banksy opened Gross Domestic Product™, a short-lived and satirical “homewares” store in Croydon, South London. The name is a pun on Gross Domestic Product (GDP)—the economic measure of a nation’s wealth—used here to parody the commodification of culture and the art market itself.

The shop never opened its doors to customers, but its window displays featured limited-edition works and objects blending art, politics, and consumer parody. Among the items created was the Rat, continuing Banksy’s long-standing use of rats as symbols of resilience, rebellion, and the overlooked.

The Gross Domestic Product Rat appeared in various humorous and ironic guises, often equipped with miniature props—whether climbing, painting, or caught mid-action—echoing the disruptive, anarchic energy of the street rats seen across Banksy’s career. By turning these creatures into branded consumer goods, Banksy mocked both capitalism and the art market, while simultaneously creating highly coveted collector’s items.