Graffiti stems from an Italian word, ‘Graffiato,’ meaning ‘scratched.’ True to its name; graffiti is not an art form that has suddenly emerged because of Gen-Zers.
Instead, its origin dates back thousands of years ago.
The earliest examples of graffiti are cave paintings and ancient inscriptions found in Greece, the Roman Empire, and Egypt.
That said, graffiti as an art form has undergone many changes. As a result, its connotation has also evolved.
Grafitti was harshly looked down upon a few years back, and the US government still considers it parallel to vandalism. At present, the idea of graffiti has bifurcated the populace into two sections.
Some people consider it hands-down illegal, and others view it as an artist’s right to express themselves beyond the confines of elite galleries.
We have dedicated this blog to explain all the ins and outs of graffiti. So, whether you’re a novice wondering what graffiti is or an art critic who never grasped the significance of this art form, this is for you!
What Is Graffiti, And What Does The Term Mean?
Contrary to current times, graffiti was used as a reference to old historical inscriptions, and it did not necessarily have to be words. It could also be figures or drawings.
Is Graffiti An Art Form?
Graffiti artists take the art techniques and methodologies and apply them on walls and other displayable mediums. For the longest time, graffiti was considered vandalism. Fortunately, now the art community and the general public are recognizing graffiti as an art form.
What Is The Difference Between Graffiti And Grafitti Art?
Although not all graffiti is equally impressive, every piece should be considered art.
Furthermore, there are several different types of graffiti, making it quite an extensive artform.
The major distinction between graffiti and graffiti art lies in the locality of graffiti. If the graffiti migrates away from ordinary city surfaces to traditional art spaces, it’s called a canvas.
The distinction is essential, as canvases are exhibited before the selective audience, while graffiti as street art is freely accessible to the general public.
How Did Graffiti Start?
It might come to you as a shock, but graffiti history dates several centuries back. As a matter of fact, researches have revealed that graffiti was a common practice among cavemen.
Unlike contemporary spray-painted graffiti, the historical graffiti was carved. Thus, the first graffiti, i.e., Lascaux cave paintings in France, dates back millennia ago!
The ancient Romans and Greeks have also used graffiti to engrave their protest poems and names on public buildings.
Furthermore, graffiti was used by American soldiers during World War II. They would make various diagrams along the route, so other soldiers could know how to follow.
Unbeknownst to cave dwellers, Roman peasants, and American soldiers, their inscription later gave birth to contemporary graffiti and meme culture.
Although it is established that graffiti has always existed in various forms, it was never a widely known, let alone an appreciated, phenomenon until 1960.
That is mainly because, during the sixties, aerosol spray paints were introduced, significantly dropping the price of spray cans.
The rise of hip-hop culture in New York and Philadelphia also played an integral role in graffiti’s propagation.
Who Introduced The Idea Of Graffiti Art?
Since graffiti is done over walls and streets, it does not last very long. To top it off, graffiti artists either keep themselves anonymous or tag their names over someone else’s artwork.
As a result, it is pretty tricky to track the origin of graffiti art and pinpoint the artist who started it.
However, one artist is referenced as the founder of graffiti art, i.e., Cornbread, aka Darryl McCray.
Born and bred and Philadelphia, Darryl McCray was a 12-year-old boy when he developed a craze of writing his nickname on every surface he found.
As days became years, his dexterity improved, and he started drawing different animals and objects on every surface. Soon his popularity soared, and when he died began people adapted his unique art form.
Why Did Graffiti Art Suddenly Become So Popular?
As mentioned above, graffiti has always existed, but only recently has it become popular.
Primarily that is because, in the late 20s, artists could not access traditional resources to paint their names and murals on the walls.
Why Should Graffiti Be Acceptable As An Art Form?
Back then, graffiti was seen as an act of desperation because broke artists left their mark and made their identity known to the art community.
As a result, graffiti became notorious for vandalism.
Contrarily, artists are now choosing and preferring to do Graffiti.
Want to know why?
Here are some reasons why:
It Takes Technical Skills To Be A Graffiti Artist
Contrary to what a lot of people believe, graffiti is anything but spray-painted gibberish. But, like any other artwork, a great deal of skill is required by graffiti.
As a matter of fact, several famous graffiti artists have exhibited an astounding level of technical and strategic wizardry.
Although not every graffiti creation is a display of brilliance, art is, after all, subjective. Thus, what you might consider as good might be bad for someone else.
Graffiti Is An Exemplification Of Freedom Of Expression
There is no getting around the fact that art ceases to exist without the freedom of expression, and graffiti exercises this more than any other form.
Think about it, when you take creativity to the streets, you emancipate it from the restraints of critics, gallery curators, and potential buyers.
For a graffiti artist, status does not mean anything. This, in turn, allows them to express themselves and break conventions unapologetically.
This is why most graffitis are considered the most bonafide works of art.
Graffiti Represents Social And Political Themes Powerfully
Like many renowned artworks, graffiti allows an artist to express their political and social concerns. Take Keith Haring for an example.
Through his Crack is Wack mural, he brought the world’s attention to the AIDS crisis.
According to most aficionados, the artist creates themes common people can relate to and be represented by.
Graffiti is by far the most iconic example of that. Unlike gallery exhibition that is predominantly for the elite, graffiti's target audience is ordinary people.
Impressive Graffiti Can Breathe Into Drab Spaces
There is no denying that art is valued chiefly for its beauty. However, some graffiti artists can take art to the next level by creating captivating patterns and exquisite designs.
Bold shapes, colors, and patterns are generally part of graffiti. Thus, if graffiti artists allow their imagination to run wild, they can alter any dull space into a crazy utopia of colors.
Graffiti is the reason why street art tours have become so popular today. Even though graffiti is primarily free for everyone to access, many people are ready to see revolutionary pieces in exchange for money.
Graffiti Spurs High Sales
Although many people do not see graffiti as an art form, it still gets sold at a really high rate.
For instance, Banky’s iconic ‘Girl with Balloon’ was sold for hefty 1.37 million dollars, and Mr.Brainwash’s Charlie Chaplin was not a cent less than a hundred thousand dollars.
Sure, the value of art cannot and should not be measured through its price tag. However, price proves that graffiti has earned the prestige and adoration of the art community.
Furthermore, it defies all the statements claiming that graffiti is nothing but vandalism.
What Is The Purpose Of Graffiti?
Now that you have understood how and why graffiti culture started, you might be wondering what its purpose might be. Like any other art, the end purpose of graffiti is to express oneself and tell a story.
Although it is not necessarily the most acceptable manner of expression, it always proves to be impactful.
Learn About Graffiti With Superprof
In a nutshell, graffiti can be creative, criminal, political, and even humorous. It challenges unwritten social norms and allows artists to reach their full potential without fretting over financial confines.
Furthermore, graffiti tells you a lot about the people living in an area. It exhibits the concealed dynamics of politics, subcultures, and socio-economic conditions of the locality.
Once regarded as vandalism and hooliganism, the perception of graffiti is gladly changing. Aside from the art communities, the general public has also started to admire it.
Art is subjective, and some people will continue ridiculing graffiti. That said, appreciation and acceptance have never been the purpose of any artwork.
Graffiti artists understand what they are doing, and they are never seeking public approval. If you are not opposed to the idea of graffiti, you should try learning it yourself!
Fortunately, we at Superprof offer exceptional graffiti training courses. Our graffiti art teachers are not just innately talented individuals who can magically transform any surface; they are also highly skilled professionals.
So hire one now!
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