Graffiti is any lettering or images scratched or marked in public places such as walls and fences, toilet doors, or on public transport. Graffiti can be anything form simple scratch marks to elaborate murals and while some regard it as art, for many it is merely unwanted and unsightly damage to property.
Graffiti dates back to ancient times; it is recorded as far back as the Greek and Roman Empires and in some cases has become an important primary source of historical information. Ancient graffiti often took the form of social or political comment or plain advertising – a famous piece of ancient Greek graffiti consists of a handprint resembling a heart, a footprint and a number which is believed to indicate that a brothel was nearby, with the handprint symbolising payment.
It seems to be part of human nature to place a mark or comment to record one’s existence, and much graffiti consists merely of “tags” to show gang territory or the mark of a particular artist. While a lot graffiti is made up of inane comments such as “Bex and Mish woz here”, some artists use graffiti to communicate social and political messages in a witty style which has become part of modern pop culture.
The most popular materials for writing graffiti are spray paints and markers, and a graffiti style has been developed which is familiar to urban dwellers all over the world. There are many websites devoted to graffiti, including information about Graffiti art and style writing around the world, and a site to help you generate your own graffiti texts online. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries and exhibitions, and there are websites to showcase the works of famous graffiti artists.
Graffiti dates back to ancient times; it is recorded as far back as the Greek and Roman Empires and in some cases has become an important primary source of historical information. Ancient graffiti often took the form of social or political comment or plain advertising – a famous piece of ancient Greek graffiti consists of a handprint resembling a heart, a footprint and a number which is believed to indicate that a brothel was nearby, with the handprint symbolising payment.
It seems to be part of human nature to place a mark or comment to record one’s existence, and much graffiti consists merely of “tags” to show gang territory or the mark of a particular artist. While a lot graffiti is made up of inane comments such as “Bex and Mish woz here”, some artists use graffiti to communicate social and political messages in a witty style which has become part of modern pop culture.
The most popular materials for writing graffiti are spray paints and markers, and a graffiti style has been developed which is familiar to urban dwellers all over the world. There are many websites devoted to graffiti, including information about Graffiti art and style writing around the world, and a site to help you generate your own graffiti texts online. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries and exhibitions, and there are websites to showcase the works of famous graffiti artists.