Dominic Miller (Blog Post #2)
Street Art/Graffiti
Street art and graffiti are among the most visible forms of artistic expression in the world. Usually found on the sides of buildings, underpasses, alleyways, and trains, these works are created to communicate with the public, conveying a message, or visual experience. Some are politically charged, some are deeply personal to the creator, serving as commentary on social justice, capitalism, race, or identity. Their presence in public spaces raise ongoing questions about it being art or vandalism? The tension between street art and graffiti lies not only in legality, but also in their purpose. One is sanctioned, the other defiant but both can hold deep meaning.
Governments tend to treat graffiti as a public nuisance, scrubbing it away as fast as it appears. Ironically, some of the same works, created by famous artists and later sold at auction. For example, Banksy, a notorious graffiti artist, has had their work ripped from walls and commodified by private collectors without his consent. If art made for the streets ends up in a gallery or private home, does it still belong to the people it was meant to reach?
Mural approved by city
Many street artists, especially those creating illegal work, remain anonymous. I think in an art world that prizes fame and authorship the message in most cases is stronger when it comes from someone nameless. Without the distraction of ego or fame, the work can speak purely for itself. Different types of street expression reach different audiences. Graffiti, especially tags and stylized lettering, often speaks inward, towards a community of artists who do value reputation. To outsiders, these markings may look like senseless vandalism, but within the subculture, they represent identity, recognition, and acknowledgment in a world that rarely notices its creators.
Street art, by contrast, is generally meant for a broader audience. It often uses clearer visuals, symbols, or messages to reach everyday passersby. Whether through a massive mural, street artists aim to make people pause and reflect. And while both forms often challenge the establishment, street art is more likely to be celebrated, commissioned, or integrated into urban settings. Around the world, the style, and impact of street art varies. Some artists use their work to spotlight poverty and inequality. In other cases large scale works uplift communities and reimagine neglected spaces. Some works are massive and planned, others are quick markings made in the dark.
Created by Keith Haring, New York City
The cultural impact of street art is undeniable. It's become a global movement that bridges art, politics, identity, and activism. Notable figures like Banksy, Lady Pink, Shepard Fairey, JR, and Keith Haring have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in public space, while countless lesser known artists continue to leave their mark, often anonymously.
In the end, whether it’s a carefully crafted mural or a spray painted tag done in seconds, street art forces us to look to see something that wasn’t there before and to consider why it is now. It challenges us to think about who gets to speak in public, whose stories are told, and what it means to claim space in a city. Street art doesn’t just reflect the world, it disrupts and reimagines it. And whether you see it as a crime, or a creative act, one thing is certain it allows anyone to have a voice
Sources:
What are the similarities and differences between graffiti and street art?, Giovanna Di Giacomo, 2021 https://straatmuseum.com/en/blog/what-are-the-similarities-and-differences-between-graffiti-and-street-art
Graffiti vs Street Art, Eden, 2021
https://www.edenart.com/news/graffiti-vs-street-art
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ReplyDeleteI personally really like street art and graffiti. To me, they feel like a free museum without admission... open to everyone, anytime. While I understand the argument that it can be seen as public vandalism, I find it fascinating how these works give new meaning to plain concrete walls. They shape and transform urban culture, turning ordinary spaces into platforms for creativity and dialogue. Reading this passage reminded me of Banksy’s recent controversial mural in London, painted on the wall of the Royal Courts of Justice. The artwork showed a judge in a traditional wig beating a protester, and it sparked huge debate. Some saw it as a bold criticism of political repression and the limits of free expression, while others viewed it as an inappropriate act of vandalism on a protected building. It sparked debates about politics, ownership, and what counts as art. For me, that’s the true power of street art! it makes people stop, think, and question the world around them.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-new-banksy-mural-appears-royal-courts-justice-london
I really liked how you talked about the difference between street art and graffiti without putting one above the other. The part about anonymity stood out to me, especially how a piece can sometimes feel more honest when you don’t know who made it. Your example of Banksy also made me think about how weird it is that art meant for the public can get taken off walls and sold, and how that kind of takes away from who it was originally for. I also appreciated how you explained graffiti as something that speaks to a specific community, even if people on the outside don’t always understand it. Overall, your post made me think more about who gets to take up space in public and how street art gives people a way to be seen and heard.
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