"If graffiti changed anything, it would be illegal." -Banksy.
Derived from the Italian word graffio “scratch”, graffiti (plural) “incised inscriptions,” this movement evidently dates back through-out early history. For instance, early markings have been found in ancient Roman ruins, in the remains of the Mayan city of Tikal in Central America, on rocks in Spain dating to the 16th century, and in medieval English churches. In modern times, however, graffiti has given rise to a new subcultural landscape and has been given a new meaning.
Initially, graffiti in the United States and Europe was closely associated with gangs, who used it for a variety of purposes. Primarily for identifying or claiming territory, for memorializing dead gang members in an informal “obituary,” for boasting about acts committed by gang members, and for challenging rival gangs as a prelude to violent confrontations. Graffiti was particularly rising in major urban centres throughout the world, especially in the United States and Europe; common targets were subways, billboards, and walls. In 1967, a new form of graffiti emerged, known as “tagging,” which entailed the repeated use of a single symbol or series of symbols to mark territory. The early tags made by artists such as Cornbread and Cool Earl marked the birth of the graffiti movement as an artistic expression.
The Graffiti movement notoriously gained momentum in New York in the late 20th century. Large elaborate multicoloured graffiti created with spray paint on building walls and subway cars came to define the urban landscape. The art world’s fascination with artists who functioned outside of traditional gallery channels stimulated an interest in this form of self-expression. In the 1980s, New York artists such as Keith Haring and Jean-Michelle Basquiat pioneered the popularity of this movement and parlayed this recognition into successful careers as painters represented by top galleries. This was considered a breakthrough in the art world at the time, since graffiti was rarely seen in galleries or museums, yet its aesthetic appeal has been incorporated into several artists’ work.
Graffiti subculture plays an imperative role in the concept of creative expression. For instance in 1971, artist 'Super Kool 223' painted the first masterpiece on a subway train in New York City. In the following year, graffiti had become an official criminal offence due to its underlying political nature and the 'Anti-Graffiti Bill' was established in New York in 1972. This made it illegal to carry aerosol cans into public spaces.
Additionally, the Brazilian Pixaçã movement gained momentum in the 1980s in São Paulo, whereby graffiti artists painted their names and those of their crew in runic and gothic-style typefaces on high-rise buildings. 'Pixadores' were considered activists who take back the city they were denied from. Through Guerilla Art, street artists were able to make public statements about the society they live in, in order to raise awareness of social and political issues.
This almost makes you question; 'Why is freedom of expression considered to be a criminal offence? Why would governments and society impose censorship upon artists? What messages are people afraid will be spread through society?" This shift in perspective is what made street art and graffiti become more than just a mere art form, it served as a catalyst for change.
"In the vast urban landscapes of our world, walls yearn to be brought to life by vibrant, thought-provoking images and messages. Street art and graffiti have an immense power as visual communication tools for activism, transcending language and cultural barriers to convey powerful messages of dissent, protest and social change - capturing the attention and imagination of the public in ways that traditional forms of communication often cannot." - Banksy.
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