Graffiti Artists Near Me

Graffiti is a type of art that is used to communicate ideas on the public canvas. It can be criminal, political, humorous, or even beautiful.

Graffiti artists are often regarded as rebels who challenge societal norms and laws. They also have a strong sense of style and are willing to risk their lives for their creativity.

Origins

Graffiti is an art form that stretches back to prehistoric times. Some archaeologists believe that the first graffiti can be found in cave paintings of early man.

Today, graffiti is regarded as an original art form that is not part of the mainstream and is a reflection of urban life. It can be seen as an expression of resistance, a counter-narrative to dominant stories, or simply a way of expressing an artist’s identity.

Some graffiti artists draw inspiration from Art History, but they don’t necessarily abide by a canon or typology. One of the most iconic street art pieces is Kilroy, a doodle on a soldier’s shoulder that spread like wildfire throughout Europe after the Second World War.

Another famous graffiti writer is Lady Pink, an Ecuadorian-American painter and muralist who rose to prominence in the 1980s hip hop and graffiti scene. Her subway train paintings helped her establish herself as an important figure in the street art movement.

Techniques

Graffiti artists use a number of different techniques to create their work. These include tagging, stenciling, and stickers.

Tagging is the simplest form of graffiti and involves writing the artist’s name or identifier on walls, buildings, and other public places. It is primarily a means to attract attention to the artist and to help them gain fame and recognition.

Stenciling is another popular method of disseminating graffiti and is a fast and efficient way to create art. This technique involves using stencils, which are pieces of paper, cardboard, or other media that are cut into shapes and then sprayed with paint to create an image on the wall.

Wildstyle is another text-based style of graffiti and is considered to be one of the most visually attractive tagging styles. It uses interlocking letter forms and other decorative elements to make it hard for non-graffiti artists to read. It is often painted in a bold, bright color and can incorporate arrows, spikes, curves, and other features that non-graffiti artists may not understand.

Styles

Graffiti artists use a variety of styles in their work. Some styles are simple, while others can be quite complex. The most popular graffiti artists have a cohesive style that makes their pieces unique.

Tag: This is the most common type of graffiti, typically featuring an artist’s alias or crew name scrawled in one color. It’s a personal signature that is easy to identify and is also a great way to get attention.

Throw-Up: This style is similar to a tag, but it’s much larger and usually uses round bubble letters outlined in a different color. This style is particularly popular on subway and train cars across the country.

Blockbuster: These are also similar to throw-ups but they’re more elaborate. They’re a great way to cover a large area in a short amount of time.

Wildstyle: These are more complex than throw-ups, utilizing arrows, curves, spikes, and other things that make them difficult for non-graffiti artists to read.

Messages

Graffiti artists send out a wide variety of messages. Some are shocking, offensive, and warn others of danger; other messages can be empowering or inspiring.

For instance, gang graffiti marks the boundaries of a gang’s claimed territory or “turf.” It can boast accomplishments, taunt and threaten rival gangs or individuals, or communicate coded business communications like the time and place of drug transactions.

The earliest graffiti in history was carved on walls and monuments by ancient Romans. These messages included Latin curses, magic spells, political slogans, and famous literary quotes.

During the coronavirus pandemic, graffiti artists are sending out cryptic messages to support and encourage others in coping with the virus. It’s a way of staying positive in these difficult times and is a visual motivation to stay strong.

In Street Messages, author Benjamin Ganz highlights graffiti and stencil artists who use text to express a broad range of thoughts and emotions in crowded urban environments and obscure rural corners. He says these refreshingly nondigital forms of communication encompass the personal and the political, setting them apart from the visual clutter of advertising.