Definition & History of Graffiti
Graffiti is a form of visual communication that usually involves drawings, symbols, or words that have been scratched or painted on public property in an unauthorized manner (Decker & Curry, 2023). Graffiti can range from simple written words to complex and detailed paintings.
The word graffiti means “little scratchings”, which comes from the Italian word graffiare, meaning scratched or to scratch (Alonso, 1998). Art historians believe this origin came about because the earliest graffiti was carved on walls, which dates back thousands of years (Alonso, 1998). For instance, prehistoric and ancient societies such as ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire have their own examples of graffiti (How old is graffiti, n.d.). Ancient graffiti often encompassed messages of love and politics (How old is graffiti, n.d.). In contrast to the method of carving, today, graffiti is most commonly executed with aerosol spray paint, markers, fire extinguishers, chalk, or wall paint (Beginner’s Guide to Graffiti, n.d). Graffiti is particularly prominent in urban and metropolitan areas, especially on billboards, and the walls of subways (Decker & Curry, 2023).
The Functions of Graffiti
Throughout the 20th century, graffiti in the United States and Europe has been associated with gangs, who utilized it for several different purposes. For example, they used it to mark certain territories as their own, in an act known as “tagging” (Decker & Curry, 2023). Additional functions include memorializing gang members who passed away, boasting about certain acts they committed, and challenging or confronting rival gangs (Decker & Curry, 2023).
The perception that people have of graffiti is variable. Stances on the topic are often controversial because it is considered to be a crime by some, but others simply view it as an outlet for artistic expression. In most parts of the world, marking property without authorization is regarded as vandalism and antisocial behavior, and is often followed by severe punishment (Decker & Curry, 2023). However, another perspective is that art should function outside of a strict system of rules and regulations. Rather than remaining confined inside galleries and museums, art should be accessible, democratic and empowering (Duncan, 2019). Thus, all people, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, should be able to create art for the masses to see (Duncan, 2019).
Personal Relationship to Graffiti
In the past, I feel as though I have seen more graffiti when I travel to other countries compared to how often I encounter it in the UAE. However, there are several artists, such as Fathima Mohiuddin, who have recently advocated for more street art and murals in the UAE (Bell, 2022). These up-and-coming artists are aiming to shift the cultural attitude toward graffiti from being associated with vandalism to being seen as a form of art that everyone can appreciate (Bell, 2022).
Although it is not an explicitly direct relationship, graffiti does relate to my own reading practices. I have noticed that a lot of graffiti includes literary components, such as quotes, poems, or stories. The inclusion of these elements blurs the boundary between street art and literature. Consequently, works of graffiti encourage reading and reflection to take place in public spaces.
On a similar note, graffiti relates to my writing practices in a number of ways. For one, graffiti is a prominent example of free expression, as the messages the artists depict typically lack social constraints, conveying political or controversial ideas (Alonso, 1998). Thus, whenever I do see graffiti, it serves as a reminder and an inspiration to freely express myself and showcase authenticity in my writing. As well as this, observing graffiti encourages me to develop a unique writing style. This motivation stems from the fact that graffiti is a distinctive and creative medium of storytelling and communication of messages.
Furthermore, graffiti artists play around with typography, generating a wide variety of special fonts, which is another way that it inspires me to develop a unique writing style. The creative use of symbols, icons, and imagery is one of the aspects that gives graffiti a distinctive voice. Artists usually use symbols as a means of conveying a broader narrative or theme. The prominent use of symbolism prompts me to consider the power of imagery in my writing, as figurative language can add depth and hidden layers to written works. Hence, I can continuously ensure that I am conveying a deeper message in my writing and simultaneously making it more compelling to readers.
References
Alonso, A. (1998). Urban graffiti on the city landscape. San Diego State University. http://64.20.37.146/graffiti/alonsograffiti.pdf
Beginner’s Guide to Graffiti, street & mural art: Definition, history, and types. Book An Artist Blog. (n.d.) https://bookanartist.co/blog/the-beginners-guide-to-graffiti-street-mural-art-definition-history-and-types/#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20media%20used,list%20of%20high%2Dquality%20cans.
Bell, J. (2022). Off the wall: The artists who are the face of the Gulf street art scene. Alarabiya news https://english.alarabiya.net/News/gulf/2022/05/28/Off-the-wall-The-artists-who-are-the-face-of-the-Gulf-street-art-scene
Decker, S. H. and Curry, Glen D. (2023). Graffiti. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/art/graffiti-art
Duncan, A. (2019). Street and graffiti art movement overview and analysis. The Art Story https://www.theartstory.org/movement/street-art/
How old is Graffiti? Wonderopolis. (n.d). https://wonderopolis.org/wonder/how-old-is-graffiti/