Graffiti

Art
Mrs. McCullough

What is Graffiti?
Graffiti art doesn't just mean art we see
sprayed on walls. In fact, graffiti art has such
strong characteristics that it's easy to spot
them everywhere
Where do you often see graffiti?
Graffiti is sometimes regarded as a form of
abstract modern art and other times
regarded as unsightly damage or unwanted
vandalism.

Are there Rules

For Graffiti Art?

There are no strict rules to creating graffiti art, but

there are distinct characteristics that make graffiti
art appear stylish. Let's see what those
characteristics are:

Loose Forms
Subjects overlap
Highlights applied to letters or image
3D impression
Colourful and Bright - colors like red, orange, yellow,
green and blue are preferred

Is it a Legal form of
Art?
In most countries, defacing property with graffiti without the
property owner's consent is considered vandalism.
Controversies that surround graffiti continue to create
disagreement amongst city officials, law enforcement and
graffiti artists looking to display their work in public locations.
The best thing to do is practice graffiti in a sketchbook or
blackbook.
Some artists even buy their own walls to practice on.
Nowadays, graffiti artists can be employed by companies to
advertise or create artwork to cover up boring walls.

How long has it

existed?
Since ancient Greece and the Roman Empire when lettering
and figures were scratched or painted into walls.
In modern times, spray paint, normal paint and markers have
become the most commonly used materials.
Evolved into a pop culture existence often related to
underground hip hop music and break dancing creating a
lifestyle that remains hidden from the general public.
Nowadays, many graffiti artists had taken to displaying their
works in galleries and owning their own studios.
This practice started in the early 1980s with artists such as
Jean-Michel Basquiat, who started out tagging locations with
his signature and Keith Haring, who was also able to take his
art into studio spaces.

Graffiti and Culture

Graffiti is often seen as having become intertwined with
hip hop culture and the myriad of international styles
derived from New York City Subway graffiti (see
below). However, there are many other instances of
notable graffiti this century. Graffiti has long appeared
on and subways.
Grew in popularity in the 70s
80s gave rise to stencil graffiti
Marc Ecko, an urban clothing designer, has been an
advocate of graffiti as an art form during this period,
stating that "Graffiti is without question the most
powerful art movement in recent history and has been
a driving inspiration throughout my career."[

Graffiti
Vocab
A "tag" is the most basic
writing of an artist's name.
A graffiti writer's tag is his
or her personalized
signature.

Graffiti Vocab
The "throw-up," also known as a "bombing" which is
normally painted very quickly with two or three
colors, sacrificing aesthetics for speed.
Throw-ups can also be outlined on a surface with
one color.
A "piece" is a more elaborate representation of the
artist's name, incorporating more stylized letters,
usually incorporating a much larger range of
colors.

A more complex
style is "wildstyle", a
form of graffiti
usually involving
interlocking letters
and connecting
points.

Can you read it??

Graffiti Artist:
Banksy
Banksy is one of the worlds most notorious and
popular street artist who continues to remain
faceless in todays society.
Known for political, anti-war stencil art in
England but his work can be seen anywhere
from Los Angeles to Palestine.
In the UK, Banksy is the most recognizable icon
for this cultural artistic movement and keeps his
identity a secret to avoid arrest.

Banksy
Much of Banksy's artwork can be seen around the
streets of London and surrounding suburbs.
Banksys art is a prime example of the classic
controversy: vandalism vs. art.
Art supporters endorse his work distributed in urban
areas as pieces of art while city officials and law
enforcement have deemed all work by Banksy to be
vandalism and property destruction.
Many members of Bristols communities feel that
Banksys graffiti reduces property value and
encourages rogue behavior.

Now, practice some

lettering in your
sketchbooks.