"Let Them Eat Crack"

http://www.complex.com/style/2013/11/banksy-greatest-works/let-them-eat-crack

Who is it by? Banksy, the notorious, anonymous street artist known for his politically powerful artwork. 

Where is it found? New York City in 2008.

What does it mean? The phrase “let them eat crack” is a metaphor for the famous quote by Marie Antoinette  “let them eat cake”. Apparently she said this in response to hearing about starving French peasants. This quote through the years has shown the inability of wealthy people to understand the problems of the lower class because of their privileged lifestyle. 
With the money falling out of the rat's brief case it can be seen that the rat is painted to resemble a Wall Street figure inhibiting New York City. By using the word “crack” in the place of “cake” Banksy suggests that the wealthy 1% of New York are out of touch and insensitive to the problems of the poor communities, for instance crack, an extremly addictive drug usually found in lower income areas.

Why is it art? Art inspires us and provokes emotion, it's clear to see why this piece does that. I find this work to be personally powerful. The drug crack is a huge problem in New York especially within lower income neighborhoods. I personally have seen pipes and syringes in poorer areas near me. However 10 miles down the road you are transplant to the world of the 1% where rich people are ignorant to the problems of the lower class completing the metaphor for Marie Antoinette was notoriously ignorant in her quote “Let them eat cake”.