Graffiti

Graffiti is writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. It ranges from simple written "monikers" to elaborate wall paintings. Graffiti has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire.

Modern graffiti became well-known in the New York City subway system and Philadelphia in the early 1970s, and later spread to the rest of the United States and throughout the world. In most countries, marking or painting property without permission is considered vandalism.

Graffiti is different from murals, which are often permitted forms of street art. While some see graffiti as a problem, others view it as a way for artists to express themselves and add color to public spaces.

Etymology

The word "graffiti" comes from an Italian word, graffiato, which means "scratched." In the past, people carved messages or drawings on walls using sharp objects, but sometimes they used chalk or coal instead. The idea behind the word goes back to an ancient Greek word, γράφειν—graphein—which means "to write."

History

Graffiti has been a part of human history for thousands of years. Most petroglyphs and geoglyphs date between 40,000 and 10,000 years old, the oldest being cave paintings in Australia. Early artists created stencil graffiti of their hands with paint blown through a tube. These stencils may have functioned similarly to a modern-day tag.

The oldest known written graffito was found on the Greek island of Astypalaia and is dated to around 500 BC. Most graffiti from the time was boasts about sexual experiences, but also includes word games such as the Sator Square, "I was here" type markings, and comments on gladiators. Graffiti in Ancient Rome was a form of communication, and was generally not considered vandalism. The Alexamenos graffito was later seen as blasphemous and removed. It may contain one of the earliest depictions of Jesus. The graffito features a human with the head of a donkey on a cross with a Greek inscription translated as 'Alexamenos worships [his] god'.

Global movements

When graffiti is done as an art form, it often uses the Latin script. English words are also commonly used as names in graffiti.

Graffiti began appearing in Africa in the early 1990s, with artists using it to highlight social and political issues. In South Africa, graffiti became important after apartheid ended, with many artworks reflecting the struggles against racial discrimination. Cape Town is especially known for its graffiti, which continues to address current issues like gentrification.

In Europe, stencil graffiti artists like Blek le Rat were active in cities such as Paris before American graffiti arrived. By the 1980s, American graffiti and hip-hop culture influenced Europe, and graffiti spread to Eastern Europe in the 1990s. Today, many European countries have active graffiti scenes, with festivals like UpFest in Bristol, England, and the East Side Gallery in Berlin, Germany.

In the Middle East, graffiti has grown as a way for people to express themselves, especially after events like the Arab Spring. Famous artist Banksy has created works in places like the Israeli West Bank barrier and Palestine.

South America, particularly Brazil, has a strong graffiti culture. A style called Pichação uses tall characters as a form of protest. Well-known Brazilian graffiti writers include Os Gêmeos, Boleta, Nunca, and others.

In Southeast Asia, countries like Malaysia have seen a rise in graffiti influenced by Western culture. Since 2010, Kuala Lumpur has hosted street festivals to celebrate local street culture.

Types

See also: Graffiti terminology

Graffiti artists mainly use spray paint and markers to create different kinds of art, like simple tags, larger bubble writings called throw ups, and big, detailed pieces. Other tools include paint markers, dabbers, and scratching tools. Some companies even make special art supplies just for graffiti.

Stencil graffiti is made by cutting out shapes from materials like cardboard. The stencil is placed on a surface, and paint is sprayed through it to create the design. This method was started by artists in Paris and has spread to many cities around the world. Stickers are another popular tool in graffiti. They can be put up quickly and discreetly, making them a safer choice for illegal art. Tags are the simplest form of graffiti, where an artist writes their name or logo in a unique style. Throw ups are larger, bubble-style writings meant to cover a lot of space fast. Pieces are big, detailed works that often include many colors and effects. Wildstyle is the most complex form, with designs that can be hard to read and are inspired by calligraphy. Today, graffiti artists also experiment with new technologies like projections and yarnbombing.

Purpose

Theories on the use of graffiti by avant-garde artists date back to Asger Jorn, who in 1962 declared in a graffiti-like gesture that "the avant-garde won’t give up."

People who appreciate graffiti often see it as public art that should be displayed for everyone, not hidden away in museums. They believe art should color the streets and be free for all to enjoy. Graffiti is a temporary but unique form of self-promotion for artists, appearing on sidewalks, roofs, subways, and building walls.

Graffiti is also a way of communicating and expressing oneself. It can serve as art or as a warning or information to others. Some people view it as art, while others see it as vandalism. Many graffitists protect their identities to avoid legal trouble. Banksy, a famous anonymous street artist, is known for his political stencil art in places like Bristol, England, and around the world. His work often sparks debate about whether it is vandalism or true art.

Graffiti can also mark territories, with groups using tags and logos to show ownership of certain areas. It can carry political messages, reflecting social issues or rebellions against authority. For example, during the Berlin Wall era, graffiti expressed opposition to Soviet rule. Graffiti has been used in protests and to challenge consumer culture, turning billboards into anti-advertising statements.

Decorative and high art

Main article: Street art

In the early 1980s, some art galleries started showing graffiti as art. Places like Fashion Moda in the Bronx and galleries in the East Village, Manhattan helped bring graffiti into the public eye. A big show at the Brooklyn Museum in 2006 highlighted graffiti from New York's outer boroughs, featuring famous names like Keith Haring and Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Artists and photographers, such as Burhan Doğançay, have also celebrated graffiti. His "Walls of the World" project collected thousands of photos of urban walls from many countries. Graffiti has even been recognized in art history books and big exhibitions, like one at the Grand Palais in Paris.

Environmental effects

Spray paint used for graffiti has harmful effects on the environment. The paint contains toxic chemicals, and the cans use volatile hydrocarbon gases to spray the paint.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from graffiti contribute to ground-level ozone. In 2010, it was estimated that about 4,862 tons of VOCs were released in the United States from graffiti-related activities.

Government responses

In China, Mao Zedong used public paintings to support the communist movement in the 1920s. Today, Beijing generally accepts graffiti, although political or religious messages are not allowed. In Hong Kong, Tsang Tsou Choi was famous for his graffiti claiming ownership of the area, and some of his work is now preserved.

Taiwan allows graffiti in special zones along riverside walls and on construction site fences. These areas give artists a place to create without breaking laws. However, creating graffiti outside these zones can lead to fines.

In Europe, some places have groups that clean up graffiti, sometimes damaging important old paintings by accident. The European Parliament has asked for policies to reduce dirt and noise in cities, including graffiti.

The United Kingdom has strong laws against graffiti. The Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 gives local governments power to take action against property owners who allow graffiti to stay on their buildings. In 2008, nine members of a graffiti group were convicted for causing over £1 million in damage, showing how seriously some places take graffiti crimes.

Australia has areas where graffiti is allowed, like the "Graffiti Tunnel" at the University of Sydney. These spaces give artists a place to create legally. However, many areas have strict laws against unauthorized graffiti, with large fines and possible prison time for offenders.

The United States uses special databases to track graffiti crimes, helping police catch offenders and hold them responsible for all the damage they cause. Some cities also have hotlines for reporting graffiti and offer rewards for information that leads to arrests. These efforts aim to reduce vandalism and its effects on communities.

In media

Documentaries

Some documentaries explore graffiti and its culture. 80 Blocks from Tiffany's (1979) shows life in New York City's South Bronx. Stations of the Elevated (1980) focuses on subway graffiti in New York City. Style Wars (1983) looks at early hip hop culture. Piece by Piece (2005) covers San Francisco's graffiti history. Infamy (2005) shares stories from famous graffiti writers. NEXT: A Primer on Urban Painting (2005) examines global graffiti culture. RASH (2005) highlights street art in Melbourne, Australia. Jisoe (2007) gives a glimpse into graffiti in Melbourne. Roadsworth: Crossing the Line (2009) features artist Peter Gibson and his street art in Montréal. Exit Through The Gift Shop (2010) was made by the artist Banksy and follows Thierry Guetta, a fan of street art, along with artists Shepard Fairey and Invader. Still on and non the wiser (2011) documents an art exhibition in Wuppertal, Germany. Graffiti Wars (2011) details a feud between graffiti artists. Spiritual Letters (2021) is a German film about urban art.

Dramas

Several dramas feature graffiti. Wild Style (1983) portrays hip hop and graffiti in New York City. Turk 182 (1985) shows graffiti as a form of political expression. Bomb the System (2002) follows a group of graffitists in New York City. Quality of Life (2004) was filmed in San Francisco and stars a former graffiti writer. Wholetrain (2006) is a German film about graffiti.