Despite its controversy, graffiti has the ability to disseminate many messages
The debate on whether graffiti is an urban art form or a nonsensical act of vandalism has been taking place for several decades now. While some individuals consider it to be synonymous with destruction of property, others argue that it is the focal point of the modern street art movement. Either way, graffiti has existed since prehistoric times and offers some insight into past and present cultures.
From the Neolithic age to the present, people have been creating works of art in public spaces.
During the Paleolithic age, individuals painted images in caves.
In ancient Rome and Greece, citizens carved graffiti on walls and monuments displaying declarations of love, political opinions, and social ideals.
The Mayans in South America, the Vikings in Ireland, as well as the ruins of Constantinople also have early forms of graffiti.
In addition, during the renaissance period prominent artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael carved or painted their names on walls as a style of decoration.
Although modern graffiti did not appear until the 1960s, it quickly spread from Philadelphia, to New York, and beyond within the span of a decade. Initially it was a way for street gangs to mark their territory, but by the 1970s, it took off as a new art form; many art galleries in New York and other major cities around the globe started buying graffiti works from their local artists. This popularized the art form even more and gave rise to artists such as Banksy and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
University and college campuses have also been prime canvases for social and political graffiti.
At times, this commentary has been discriminatory against individuals or marginalized groups and neglected the students’ right to feel safe on campus—but that’s not always the case.
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At the University of Guelph, graffiti can be found at several locations, particularly in the bathroom stalls. The graffiti found at the Bullring is mainly comprised of intricate drawings, quotes, and amusing anecdotes.
Some graffiti recently found at the Bullring reads: “When you stop fighting, you stop living. So find your fight. Then fight like hell ’til your battle has won.”
Another message simply reads: “Everything is going to be OK.”
This particular example promotes the idea of togetherness and encourages students to de-stress—something that many of us often need to be reminded of.
Banksy reminds us how graffiti is simply another tool for communication in saying, “Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don’t come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they’re having a piss.”
Banksy’s quote highlights the positive side of graffiti and why the art of graffiti should be validated. Graffiti has the potential to encourage diversity, bring colour to dreary places, and allow individuals to express themselves artistically and make political statements.
Graffiti and street art have always had a history of being influenced by political and social issues; a lot of people who may have felt powerless took this art form and turned it into a form of anonymous political protest. Having this ability is extremely powerful, as it can make the artist feel heard and allow them to challenge society’s thinking patterns, which could lead to change.
Lastly, graffiti also has the power to make people happy. It adds character and a story to what would otherwise just be dull and grey. Art reminds people to feel alive. Art has the ability to inspire and motivate.
Photos by Malvika Khera.