Graffiti as Art

After watching the video on the two artists who drew graffiti, it made me realize that it much more of a form of art than most people take it to seem. Graffiti is any type of public markings of images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted, or marked in any manner of property. I never believed it before, but graffiti artists have to be one of the most creative people. They not only are imaginative, they relay their feelings in their pieces as well as having purpose and significance. It may appear in the forms of simple written words to elaborate wall paintings. What is interesting is that graffiti has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Now in modern times, spray paint, normal paint and markers have become the most commonly used materials. Now that I feel like graffiti is more of an art and that the people are trying to get their point across, still in most countries, defacing property with graffiti without the property owner's consent is considered vandalism. Sometimes graffiti is used to communicate social and political messages which can catch the eye of any by stander. The controversies that surround graffiti continue to create disagreement amongst city officials and law enforcement. Now that I have a better understanding of graffiti I feel as though these officials and enforcements should relax and give graffiti a chance. It is a rapidly developing artform whose value is highly contested. People should view graffiti with a more open mind and take it as it is.

-Jessica