Graffiti artists use radical and contrarian imagery and language to “tag” historic buildings and signs.
Alas, that simply isn’t always the case, though.
Graffiti, like many other genres of art, is a means of expression. Those with true skills and talent can go a long way with this form of art.
After all, many people understand and appreciate street art. To grasp what graffiti artists are expressing, you don’t need to be a specialist in the area or know anything about the history of art.
That’s why this genre is so appealing and so powerful.
Some of these artists are well-known in their hometowns, while others have achieved international recognition.
We’ve compiled a list of well-known street graffiti artists whose artwork is worth visiting when traveling worldwide.
The advantages go beyond just aesthetic appeal. A report by the University of Warwick concludes, “Street art in the US is often now correlated with increasing socioeconomic pattern of urban districts.”
New economic opportunities arise around graffiti art. Restaurants, bars, and cafes open, which in turn draws in customers visiting to see the street art.
Keep in mind that there is a massive subculture of art enthusiasts who enjoy the concept of street art. Businesses try to tap into that enormous market.
Unfortunately, not everyone can appreciate this genre for what it is. Graffiti as art, based on where it is done, maybe deemed as vandalism.
Indeed, many great examples of graffiti are removed. Nevertheless, it is without a doubt similar to art, except it is created on a unique canvas.
Everybody studies a little bit of art in school, though not everybody enjoys it. For some, the issue is the form or medium.
Some people do not love conventional mediums, such as sculpturing and painting, whereas others struggle to discover art that is personally relevant and meaningful.
Graffiti, which is more anchored in 21st-century living than traditional arts, may encourage these folks if it is introduced as an alternative artwork platform.
In fact, over 90% of graffiti is designed by people who are not affiliated with any gang at all. Yet, every year, cities around the US spend a total of $12 billion clearing graffiti.
Public transit departments, businesses, communities, and homeowners are expected to spend $1 – $3 per taxpayer annually to erase graffiti or repair any damage caused by it.
Unfortunately, efforts to reduce graffiti are successful. Getting rid of it as soon as possible is the most efficient strategy to avoid it.
Furthermore, according to studies, removing the artwork within 24 to 48 hours reduces the chances of it happening again.
Advantages Of Graffiti
Listed below are just a few of the reasons why graffiti has a distinct advantage over other mediums:
Graffiti Can Help Buildings Stand Out
For a start, graffiti can assist in penetrating the uniformity of a city by helping buildings become distinguishable.
Businesses can employ graffiti to accentuate their products and services. Graffiti in Spanish, English, or some other language may be found based on the company’s location.
The words are typically not just words but are combined with visuals and pictures to make them attractive and prominent.
Though several people equate graffiti to something nasty, it can be a beneficial technique to draw attention to different walls and get people to notice and appreciate beauty when done correctly.
Even then, not everyone appreciates or even likes graffiti as an art form. But, at the end of the day, it is not its purpose to be enjoyed by everyone.
Graffiti Can Help Raise Awareness
One of the most appealing aspects of graffiti is that it can bring about positive change in society.
Many artists utilize graffiti to bring public awareness to issues that they share a deep emotional connection with.
For example, many artists paint in pink during breast cancer awareness month. In addition, poverty and economic inequality could be the target of graffiti.
Increasingly, many artists use graffiti as a means to shed light on issues of harassment and sexism.
One of the best things about art is that it can represent many different beliefs and ideologies, and graffiti is no exception.
If you are interested in making a difference globally, graffiti is an excellent medium to change our world for good.
Murals Can Bring A Community Together
Murals are prominent art projects that assist in the creation of something the entire community can participate in.
Frequently, prominent members of the local neighborhood will gather to debate mural ideas and ask others to participate in the collaborative endeavor.
There are numerous advantages to making a mural.
It can not only teach old and young to take an interest in their city, but also educate them on the value of building something that adds beauty.
Encouraging individuals’ passion for their town can significantly impact their behavior, decreasing litter and crime.
Famous Graffiti Artists
Naturally, thousands of graffiti artists have picked up the spray can in light of the abovementioned advantages. Here are just a handful of the most prominent:
Banksy (Bristol, England)
Banksy’s work raises several political and social themes. Resultantly, vandals have targeted a number of his works. In other cases, some have simply been removed.
Those who survive are in high demand. One of just two murals in the movie Big Easy can be found on New Orleans Art Walk.
Curiously, the exact identity of this graffiti art superstar remains a mystery amid years of debate. However, one undeniable aspect is his impact on graffiti art has been enormous.
He especially has legitimized graffiti as a legitimate art form before art connoisseurs.
He was even nominated for an Academy Award for the 2010 film “Exit Through the Gift Shop.” In true Banksy fashion, he requested to attend the award ceremony incognito. His request was denied.
Cornbread (Philadelphia, USA)
“Cornbread,” Darryl McCray has been creating graffiti artwork with his buddies in Philadelphia ever since the inception of contemporary graffiti history in New York and across the Atlantic in Europe.
By exhibiting his enthusiasm in the guise of labels all over Philly, he even gained the love of his childhood friends and community.
Soon after that, different types of graffiti appeared on subway cars, city surfaces, and trains. Indeed, he played a formative role in the East Coast’s graffiti art culture.
By collaborating with the Philadelphia Anti-Graffiti Network to tidy up busy streets while fostering artistic ingenuity in the guise of graffiti, this savvy painter transformed his expertise from engaging in criminal activities to fighting crime.
He engages with the city’s youth and has become a prominent voice for frequently ignored ones.
Gaia (New York, USA)
Andrew Pisacane was born and raised in New York City in 1988, graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, Maryland, with a degree in Fine Arts. He is a brilliant artist with a distinct style and theme that addresses political, environmental, and societal issues, as well as humanity’s road to ruin.
His thought-provoking artwork has been shown in many exhibitions and institutions across the United States and abroad.
His murals can be found on the streets of New Jersey, Baltimore, New York City, Washington, DC, and Chicago.
Lady Pink
Lady Pink is a New York-based Ecuadorian-American female graffiti street artist. Her work carries messages of empowerment for women.
Hence, they are bright and vibrant, with renowned individuals, animals, societal themes, and more featured prominently in them.
She was the very first prolific black woman graffiti artist in the mid-1980s. As a result, she has been dubbed “the first lady of graffiti.”
She eventually formed her very own female-dominated crew. Lady Pink has been featured in numerous galleries and publications, including the prestigious Metropolitan Museum of New York City, the Brooklyn Museum, and the Whitney Museum.
Jean-Michel Basquiat
Jean-Michel Basquiat was a crucial figure in the world of urban art from the beginning. His works are already present in galleries worldwide, many of which have been there since the 1980s. He was the youngest artist to organize a show at the Whitney Biennale in New York, and he has acted as an influence to modern artists all around the globe ever since.
Before departing from the world at the premature age of 27, he touched the lives of innumerable individuals with his prodigious work.
To learn more about him, watch Sara Driver’s film “Boom for Real: The Late Teenager Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat.” The movie chronicled events and details of Basquiat’s illustrious life.
Keith Haring (New York, USA)
With his art, Keith Haring has raised public awareness about safe sex, societal issues, and AIDS. The Venice Biennale, the Sao Paulo Biennial, and the Whitney Biennial in New York all featured his work.
He has painted countless masterpieces on the walls of hospitals, daycare centers, and schools. This is all in addition to his commissioned artworks, which fetch steep prices.
Magazines like Newsweek and Vanity Fair have published special issues dedicated to him, recognizing his artistry and philanthropy.
Ready To Be As Good As The Pros?
Hopefully, we have cleared all doubts and concerns, and we are on the same page that the art of Graffiti is legal if appropriately practiced.
That said, if you want to be as good as the greats, there are a variety of avenues to learn and grow.
From online tutorials to sizeable PDFs and blog posts to communal classes and more!
However, the best way to grasp quickly is to hire a private tutor who can teach in person or virtually. And there is no better place to find a seasoned expert than Superprof.
Register now, and get started!
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