i am graffiti essay

Meaning of I Am Graffiti by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

The song "I Am Graffiti" by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is a powerful and thought-provoking commentary on the erasure and mistreatment of Indigenous people. Through the use of vivid metaphors and symbolism, the lyrics shed light on the historical and ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities.

The opening lines, "I am writing to tell you that, yes, indeed / We have noticed that you have a new big pink eraser / We are well aware you are trying to use it / Erasing Indians is a good idea, of course," confront the audacity of those who wish to erase Indigenous culture and history. The mention of a "big pink eraser" refers to a deliberate attempt to whitewash or forget the contributions and existence of Indigenous people. This line highlights the pervasive nature of colonialism and the desire to rewrite history.

The lines, "The bleeding-heart liberals and communists can stop feeling bad / For the stealing and raping and murdering / And we can all move on / We can be reconciled," sarcastically challenge the notion of reconciliation and the shallow attempts by some to atone for past atrocities. The lyrics suggest that true reconciliation cannot be achieved without acknowledging the ongoing impact of colonization.

The repetition of the line "Except, I am graffiti / Except mistakes were made" throughout the song serves as a powerful refrain. Here, graffiti symbolizes the resilience and defiance of Indigenous people who refuse to be silenced or erased. It represents the act of reclaiming public spaces to share their stories, cultures, and resistance.

The verse, "She painted three white Xs on the wall of the grocery store / 1, 2, 3 / Then they were erased / Except, I am graffiti / Except mistakes were made," highlights the systemic erasure of Indigenous voices and experiences. The Xs made of milk symbolize the theft of Indigenous food and resources, and their subsequent erasure signifies the ongoing marginalization and disregard for Indigenous rights.

The lyrics, "We are the singing remnants left over / After the bomb went off in slow motion over a century / Instead of a fractionated second / It's too much to process / So we make things instead," convey the enduring spirit of Indigenous people despite the deep traumas they have endured for generations. The metaphor of a slow-motion bomb explosion symbolizes the lasting effects of colonization and the continued struggles faced by Indigenous communities. Despite the magnitude of these traumas, the song emphasizes the resilience of Indigenous peoples who find solace and empowerment through artistic expression and creation.

Overall, "I Am Graffiti" serves as a defiant call to recognize the importance of Indigenous voices, histories, and cultures that have been marginalized and erased. It challenges the notion of reconciliation without true acknowledgement and reparation, urging society to confront past and ongoing injustices. The song's significance lies in its ability to shed light on the ongoing struggles faced by Indigenous communities and to inspire dialogue and action towards a more just and inclusive society.

This meaning interpretation was written by AI. Help improve it with your feedback

More from this artist

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Caribou Ghosts & Untold Stories

Constellation

How to Steal a Canoe

Trending this week

사랑으로 (Love.)

wave to earth

Support us!

i am graffiti

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

i am writing to tell you

that yes, indeed,

we have noticed

you have a new big pink eraser

we are well aware

you are trying to use it.

erasing indians is a good idea

the bleeding-heart liberals

and communists

can stop feeling bad

for the stealing

and murdering

and we can all move on

we can be reconciled

except, i am graffiti.

except, mistakes were made.

she painted three white Xs

on the wall of the grocery store.

one. two. three.

then they were erased.

the Xs were made out of milk

because they took our food.

then we were erased.

we are the singing remnants

left over after

the bomb went off in slow motion

over a century instead of a fractionated second

it’s too much to process, so we make things instead

the costumes have been made

collected up

put in a plastic bag, full of intentions

for another time

another project.

and mistakes were made.

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is a poet, spoken word artist, musician, academic, and activist. She’s written three books, including a book of short…

In our Q&A with Leanne Simpson, she explains that she wrote this poem because, “I was watching the closing of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and I felt angry, not reconciled” How do you feel the poem transforms that anger?
How is the image of graffiti used in this poem?
How does the poem suggest resilience and survival in the face of attempted erasure?
How does the poet use repetition to suggest a continual re-emergence of the self?
Do you feel that the mood of the poem is the same throughout, or does it change? Do you feel that the voice is using dark humour or sarcasm at any point? Where?
If you were reciting this poem, what tone would you use? Would you vary the speed of your repetition? Where would you pause?
Write a poem in response to something in the news that makes you angry. Think about how to vary the tone and use imagery and sound patterns so that your poem has more texture than a straightforward rant.

HELPFUL LINKS

Check out Leanne Simpson’s personal website here.

http://leannesimpson.ca/

Watch Leanne Simpson give a lecture on Restoring Nationhood at Simon Fraser University:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH1QZQIUJIo

Watch the music video for her poem-song “Leaks,” which is a response to the first time her young daughter experienced racism: http://leannesimpson.ca/leaks-music-video/

See this video introducing Leanne Simpson as the first winner of the RBC Taylor Emerging Writer award: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86vxM6kIsR0

A profile page on Leanne Simpson at cbc.ca http://www.cbc.ca/books/2014/08/leanne-simpson.html

Naomi Klein speaks to Leanne Simpson: http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace-justice/dancing-the-world-into-being-a-conversation-with-idle-no-more-leanne-simpson

Leanne Simpson’s “i am graffiti” first appeared in the July/August 2015 issue of The Walrus , selected by Poetry In Voice Creative Director Damian Rogers in her role as poetry editor there.

Fact-based journalism that sparks the Canadian conversation

i am graffiti

Mistakes were made.

i am writing to tell you that yes, indeed, we have noticed you have a new big pink eraser we are well aware you are trying to use it. erasing indians is a good idea of course the bleeding-heart liberals and communists can stop feeling bad for the stealing and raping and murdering and we can all move on we can be reconciled except, i am graffiti. except, mistakes were made. she painted three white Xs on the wall of the grocery store. one. two. three. then they were erased. except, i am graffiti. except, mistakes were made. the Xs were made out of milk because they took our food. one. two. three. then we were erased. except, i am graffiti. except, mistakes were made. we are the singing remnants left over after the bomb went off in slow motion over a century instead of a fractionated second it’s too much to process, so we make things instead we are the singing remnants left over after the costumes have been made collected up put in a plastic bag, full of intentions for another time another project. except, i am graffiti. and mistakes were made.

Title Fight

July 22, 2015 January 21, 2020

July 21, 2015 April 10, 2020

There Goes the Neighbourhood

July 14, 2015 December 4, 2019

The Walrus uses cookies for personalization, to customize its online advertisements, and for other purposes. Learn more or change your cookie preferences.

Fund the journalism that helps you make informed decisions. Fund The Walrus.

Before you go, did you know that The Walrus is a registered charity? We rely on donations and support from readers like you to keep our journalism independent and freely available online.

Calabasas Courier Online

-22855 Mulholland Hwy. Calabasas, CA 91302-

Graffiti should be recognized as art, not vandalism

Graffiti covers the walls of freeways, bridges and buildings, showcasing the talent of those who create the beautiful imagery. It continues to become more widespread despite the ongoing debate of whether or not it is vandalism. This street art beautifies cities by giving them character and making them look unique and personal. As a non-violent form of expression, graffiti is a necessary outlet and should not be limited.

Buildings that are “tagged” have a more personal feel than buildings with plain white walls. Because of the appreciation for graffiti’s beauty, instead of viewing graffiti as vandalism, many realize the amount of skill necessary to create the street art and appreciate the message it delivers. Many people admire Keith Haring, a famous graffiti artist from the 80s known for his artwork around New York City. Haring’s artwork is so widely known that the city has embraced its presence around the city.

“Graffiti reflects individuals’ views on various issues and can make a dull brick wall stunningly beautiful,” said junior Megan Richardson.

Graffiti is a form of expression, and artists should be free to make their thoughts and beliefs public. Serving as a way to avoid violence, graffiti is an outlet for many to express their feelings. Making street art illegal limits the freedom of artists to create influential masterpieces. Graffiti artists create works that reflect both struggles and accomplishments and at many times display political and social messages. The paint that coats walls in communities everywhere can contain symbolism so profound that it has been compared to poetry. People around the world also know Banksy, a famous London-based graffiti artist, for his satirical street art that reflects his political views. Banksy’s work is so distinct that it has inspired Obey Propaganda, a famous clothing company. Many others are beginning to realize the influence graffiti has on the world, and famous street art will only continue to flourish.

Many believe that graffiti rebels against authority, yet the skill required to create elaborate graffiti is remarkable. The world is a canvas for graffiti artists, and they should feel free to cover it as they please.

Your donation will support the student journalists of Calabasas High School. Your contribution will allow us to purchase equipment and cover our annual website hosting costs.

Opinion: Understanding the scourge of American book bans

Comments (23)

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Anonymous Hacker • Jun 10, 2021 at 8:49 pm

I have to write a debate for IPSHA Debating (in Australia) and this information has provided me much help. Thank you 🙂

Faye Aston • Mar 12, 2021 at 3:55 am

I’m writing a debate on this and it’s so helpful just reading ideas to write thank you so much for this website it’s helped me a lot

Chloe Wicker • Mar 5, 2021 at 8:39 am

Hello i’m in 7th Grade and I am writing an argumentative essay about Weather or not I think Graffiti should be illegal and I think it shouldn’t be this story is really helping me write my essay thanks so much for it

Jesus • Feb 5, 2021 at 8:28 am

Beautiful work

unkown • Oct 19, 2018 at 8:17 am

hmm. lameeee

carman flores • May 21, 2018 at 2:05 pm

I honestly believe that graffiti is a way for people not as wealthy as others to show that art doesnt come from intelligence but the desire to bring whats in their minds out for others t see. ~Carman Flores

Ashlynn Anthony • May 9, 2018 at 5:48 pm

I am doing an essay on this and I think all you’re comments are very helpful and the information is valid. Although I do think you should include more insite for both sides of the debate. Cheers.

nino • Mar 13, 2018 at 2:53 pm

6this article was very helpful for essay at evergreen

destiny • Jan 11, 2018 at 8:48 pm

i beleie that graffiti is art its beautiful and it allows you to pour out your feelings into a drawing

Jane • Jun 6, 2017 at 9:44 pm

I’m writing an argument to argue that graffiti is art and not vandalism and this is so helpful thankyou!

Quack • May 17, 2017 at 12:03 am

I really need some help on my debating topic

Hailey • Mar 1, 2017 at 8:13 am

Thankyou so much this helped so much with my paper i’m writing.

Brandon • Aug 18, 2016 at 1:54 pm

I am also writing an essay on this and think it is a great topic. I think all these people are really talented. Thank you for the info.

Say_savage • Feb 15, 2017 at 6:54 pm

Thanks for this I really needed this article to provide evidence that graffiti is an art thanks again

notme • Jul 1, 2016 at 1:21 pm

it is art but its better that it is illegal if it was not it wouldn’t be so prolific, so dramatic, and intensified. to get in the mind of a writer is a crazy thing but they enjoy it being illegal. if graffiti was legal it would cease to have those powerful messages they convey they say so much if a writer goes out at dead of night while no one is their. it would be like a verse with no beat if it would ever be legal…people would loose their drive for it

samantha • Jun 1, 2016 at 6:24 am

Graffiti is a beautiful non-violent to express emotion.

carly • Feb 26, 2016 at 9:31 am

I believe graffiti is art it shows emotion and skill plus an amazing talent the artists have.

Dana • Mar 22, 2016 at 11:02 am

I am writing a paper on this topic and I think this is so true

jordan • Feb 9, 2017 at 9:40 am

i am to and this is helpful for my debate

Maddie • May 14, 2018 at 4:31 am

Me to I am writting an exposition writing for it

Seth Price • Mar 26, 2017 at 9:39 pm

im doing a debate on this topic and I think the info is great

destiny • Jan 11, 2018 at 8:37 pm

yes i aslo agree with what you have said it also!

carman flores • May 21, 2018 at 2:02 pm

I honestly believe graffiti is a way for people who dont have any money to show that they are talented too.

Art, Crime, Culture

Graffiti: Is it a form of Expression or Vandalism?

The subject of graffiti on city walls has been a major cause of concern in many urban developments, with many debating on whether the art is a form of expression or a blatant act of vandalism. While art activists often support graffiti as a form of expression and, thus, a medium of communication, both through feelings and images, others view the art form with disdain and would rather live in a world free of graffiti. Yet, another portion of the population needs to care more about graffiti art, choosing not to think much about the art form or its intended message to the audience (Cox et al., 2017). The negative connotation associated with graffiti has led to its misinterpretation worldwide, with graffiti artists often facing prosecution for displaying the art in public places, as they are accused of destroying the environment.

To appreciate graffiti as an art form, it is important first to understand its history: Where the artists get their inspiration from and the message they intend to pass using the graffiti. The art of graffiti, as we understand it, began in the late 1960s in New York and Philadelphia. It started as a form of recognition, with people writing their names and street address on subways (Arnold, 2019). Soon people started to fight for their spots on city walls, bridges, and other public spaces where they could display their artwork to the world. Today, art has evolved and is used as a medium to gain personal recognition and create awareness on various social issues, such as human rights and gender-based violence. Artists’ work and dedication in their graffiti artwork are similar to what one would put in any other canvas.

Due to people’s perception of graffiti and crime, individuals not very popular often feel insecure while walking in cities or towns painted with this kind of art. Countless reasons often contribute to a majority of society holding these assumptions (Cox et al., 2017). For instance, most films that I have watched, especially action movies, often portray crime-rampant cities or ghetto neighborhoods with graffiti either on sidewalks, shops, or walls, among other public areas. Such kinds of films or other forms of media have contributed to people associating art with a crime. Let me not say people because I fall among the specific population that has already bought the idea. As a result of these presumptions, I usually feel insecure each time I am in environments colored with extreme graffiti. Since some people perceive it as art, I am looking forward to loving the particular art. However, for it to be accepted public, artists exposed to the art should locate viable and suitable settings such as museums. Such a move will immensely contribute to changing individuals’ views of graffiti as illegal.

Otherwise, the presence of different kinds of graffiti depicting varied ideas and information in public streets will not seize to frighten individuals like me who have already bought the perception that it is illegal and is associated with criminals. Worth noting is that graffiti is an important part of human lives since it is an innovation of art people use to depict their inner ambitions or intentions.

Art is Not Gold, Stolen Pieces are Hard to Sell
Using Art to Rehabilitate Inmates and Reduce Recidivism Rates
When Culture becomes Crime: Gangster Rap Embodying Gang Life

2 thoughts on “ Graffiti: Is it a form of Expression or Vandalism? ”

I personally really appreciate this perspective and view graffiti as an art form. Arts that are typically more scene in underpriveledged areas such as graffiti often serve as social commentary pieces. With artists like Banksy revealing the true potential of illegal art forms, sometimes its these that make the largest statements. I love graffiti, with the exception of basic tagging or gang signs, as it makes the world seem slightly less dull. Adding color and spirit into places that are typically void of life.

I thought your point about the areas where graffiti is usually seen was really interesting, this is pretty common in big cities but I started thinking about graffiti in smaller cities instead. For example, in Portland Maine, there’s a big wall that was recently made a legal graffiti wall, and even though the same type of art can be seen in southern California, it’s associated with expression and a free lifestyle, but here in SoCal, it’s associated with street gangs. After all, you’re right and it is just another freedom of expression, encouraging the spread of thoughts and ideas, the negative connotations are, however, necessary for this type of art form. The antagonism is what creates a more meaningful message. Graffiti artists that are hired to create something legally, I think tend to be less impactful, more normalized and eventually desensitized.

84 Graffiti Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

🏆 best graffiti topic ideas & essay examples, 💡 good essay topics on graffiti, 📌 most interesting graffiti topics to write about, ❓ questions about graffiti.

Arguments for Graffiti as Art Given the comprehensive nature of art and the time and care necessary to produce a piece of graffiti, it should be considered a form of art.
Aspects of Graffiti as Art Therapy According to the psychological perspective when reviewing the art of graffiti, it has helped relieve stress, and tension and brings joy to the people in the community.
Graffiti “Season’s Greetings” by Banksy The aesthetic value of Season’s Greetings is that the artist experimented with the building’s corner to create a perspective game, as seen in Figure 1.
Views on Graffiti From Sociological Perspectives He intimates that graffiti drawing is a sign of deviance and has a corroding effect on the character of an individual.
Is Graffiti Vandalism or Art? The first questionable characteristic is the history of graffiti, and associated with the street gang culture of New York in the 70s.
Analyzing Graffiti as a Subculture Contemporary theoreticians dispute the origin and meaning of subculture as a social phenomenon, analyzing the sociological parameters of the groups of population and their primary motivation for deciding on self-expression in the form of subculture.
Graffiti: Is a Form of Art or Vandalism? This is achieved through the incorporation of a great deal of imagination, planning and effort in the development of the graffiti.
Graffiti and History of Street Art Statues of antiquity and great canvas of the New Age and many other works appeared due to the set of reasons which made this very kind of art the main characteristic of the epoch.
The Controversy of Graffiti Art Finally, graffiti is a form of expression and inhibiting it denies young persons a voice and the right to express themselves.
Eduardo Kobra’s Graffiti as a Form of Art Hence, graffiti itself, as a separate genre, is a form of art due to its emotional and psychological influence. Due to its emotional and psychological impact, graffiti itself is a type of art as a […]
Ron English: The Famous Graffiti Artist This paper explores and analyses the aspects of graffiti – a form of painting and the work of one of the most famous and talented graffiti artists.
Analysis of Cultural Phenomenon of Graffiti Though the artistic value of the graffiti remains questionable for most cultural experts, certain samples of spray-painting may be regarded the works of art in the context of the hip-hop culture.
Banksy’s Graffiti Artworks in Palestine It is in this location that the anonymous graffiti artist Banksy has placed 9 suggestive pieces along several well travelled areas of “the Wall” in order to create social thought regarding the moral and ethical […]
Analyzing Graffiti as a Crime Other types of graffiti such as the commercial graffiti are categorized as crimes because making use of graffiti as a form of advertisement is usually against the advertisement along with media laws established in most […]
Graffiti Culture: Is It a Form of Artistic Expression or Criminal Activity? Scholars postulates that “…the graffiti culture, like any other culture, present itself in different forms, dependent on the social and cultural component of the local community, the distribution of cultural knowledge, the age of the […]
Contemporary Graffiti as Political Art Banksy’s graffiti art work is still considered as one of the best way of protesting against the government in order to remove the CCTV cameras from the cities or to use those cameras in proper […]
Graffiti as a Complex Social Interaction Problem However, graffiti is vandalism and requires the authorization of the property owner. Moreover, graffiti reduces the value of properties and costs the citizens a lot of money in cleaning it up.
Art Censorship: Why Graffiti Should Be Considered an Accepted Form of Art
Banksy and the Influence of His Graffiti Works
Graffiti Analysis: Positive and Negative Effects
Comparative Analysis of Graffiti and Abstract Expressionism
Banksy Was Here: The Invisible Man of Graffiti Art
Graffiti and Commodification Culture: An Analysis
Overview of Graffiti and Other Street Art
Graffiti and Its Effects on the World War I
The Controversy of Graffiti and Private Property
Graffiti and Its Impact on Popular Culture
Analysis of Graffiti and Street Art as Forms of Arts
Overview of Graffiti and Tagging Culture
Graffiti and Vandalism Acts in Our Community
Discussion on Graffiti: Expensive and Destroying
Graffiti Art Brings Positive Effects to Our Society
Reasons Why Graffiti Stains Our Streets
Graffiti Art: History, Material, Tags
Hate of the Criminal Justice System Through Juvenile Graffiti
Graffiti vs. Modern Art: Comparative Analysis
Hip-Hop and Graffiti: An Anatomy of a Piece of Art
How Graffiti Has Changed Over Time
Linking Police and Graffiti Abatement Programs
How Banksy Graffiti Artwork Has Been Acquired by Critics
Reclaiming Urban Landscape: Graffiti Subversion
Street Subversion: The Political Geography of Murals and Graffiti
The Different Purposes That Graffiti Serve in Society
Political Graffiti as a Form of Art
The Graffiti Art History in the Modern Cities Portrayed as Vandalism
A Visual Analysis of the Graffiti Artwork Done by Banksy
The History and Controversy of Graffiti Art
How to Keep Teenagers From Becoming Graffitists
The Graffiti Subculture Mirrors the Functions of ‘Institutionalized Art’
Graffiti: Vandalism or Street Art
The History and the Modern Use of Graffiti as an Artstyle
Street Art and Graffiti Should Not Be Considered as Vandalism
The Pros and Cons of the Use of Graffiti in the Streets
Graffiti: Plain Vandalism or Self-Expression Through Art
The Reasons Graffiti Should Be Legalized
When Graffiti Is Not Art, but Plain Vandalism
The Use of Graffiti as a Means for Good and Its Importance
What Is the Difference Between Graffiti Art and Graffiti Vandalism?
Are Graffiti Artists Criminals?
What Is the Most Famous Graffiti Wall in the World?
How Serious a Problem Is a Graffiti?
What Are the Positive Effects of Graffiti and Street Art?
Does Graffiti Inspire People?
What Is the Role of Graffiti in Society Today?
How Does Graffiti Affect People?
What Social Issues Can Graffiti Reflect?
Can Graffiti Be Good for Cities?
What Graffiti Was on the Berlin Wall?
Did Graffiti Start in Japan?
What Country Has the Best Graffiti?
Why Does Graffiti Make People Happy?
Is It Legal to Graffiti in Germany?
When Was Graffiti Banned?
What Is the Largest Illegal Graffiti Piece in the World?
How Do the Police Deal With Graffiti?
Why Does Graffiti Make People Feel Unsafe?
Does Graffiti Have a Message?
What Is the Psychology Behind Graffiti?
How Does Graffiti Harm Public Properties?
What Role Does Graffiti Play in Society?
Does Removing Graffiti Reduce Crime?
How Does Graffiti Represent Identity?
Pablo Picasso Paper Topics
Andy Warhol Topics
Impressionism Research Ideas
Surrealism Research Topics
Cultural Identity Research Topics
Harlem Renaissance Essay Titles
Popular Culture Paper Topics
Urbanization Ideas
Chicago (A-D)
Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2024, February 27). 84 Graffiti Essay Topic Ideas & Examples. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/graffiti-essay-topics/

"84 Graffiti Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." IvyPanda , 27 Feb. 2024, ivypanda.com/essays/topic/graffiti-essay-topics/.

IvyPanda . (2024) '84 Graffiti Essay Topic Ideas & Examples'. 27 February.

IvyPanda . 2024. "84 Graffiti Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 27, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/graffiti-essay-topics/.

1. IvyPanda . "84 Graffiti Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 27, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/graffiti-essay-topics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "84 Graffiti Essay Topic Ideas & Examples." February 27, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/topic/graffiti-essay-topics/.

Academia.edu no longer supports Internet Explorer.

To browse Academia.edu and the wider internet faster and more securely, please take a few seconds to upgrade your browser .

Enter the email address you signed up with and we'll email you a reset link.

We're Hiring!
Help Center

Defining Graffiti: Art or Vandalism

A draft proposal for a paper about graffiti

Related Papers

Frandika Permana

Donald Richardson

Stefano Bloch

In this piece I argue against common defenses of graffiti.

Routledge eBooks

Graeme Evans

The Journal of American Culture

Carl Horowitz

Ondřej Škrabal , Leah Mascia , Ann Lauren Osthof , Malena Ratzke

An on-line workshop exploring the extent of graffitiing practices from antiquity to the present day and the diversity of scholarly traditions dealing with them. Registration at https://www.csmc.uni-hamburg.de/register-workshop3.html.

Geert J Verhoeven , Jona Schlegel , Massimiliano Carloni , Giulia Flenghi , Paola Guerreschi , Alessandra Meschini , Nora Shalaby , Martin Wieser

This is the book of abstracts created for the goINDIGO 2023 international graffiti symposium organised in the framework of the academic project INDIGO.

Inopinatum: Graffiti and Urban Creativity

Lachlan J MacDowall , Christian Ruggiero , Luca Borriello

Ivanka Stabreff Salazar , Cameron McAuliffe

In this paper, we critically review the literature on graffiti and street art with a view to bridging the divide between the stark extremities of public graffiti discourse. We make the case for moving beyond singular responses to the challenges posed by graffiti – into the complex terrain between visions of a city free from graffiti and one where public art has free rein. To this end, we have chosen a series of interrogations of common dialectical positions in talk of graffiti: is it art or crime; is it public or private expression; is it necessarily ephemeral, or does it seek permanence; is it a purely cultural practice, or is it economic? Our list is by no means exhaustive, but it does go some way to uncovering the complexity of graffiti's dynamic and contested geographies.

Street Art & Urban Creativity Scientific Journal

Malcolm Jacobson

There is an abundance of books, magazines, films and internet-forums dedicated to graffiti. How this documentation has influenced and been a part of the graffiti subculture has not been studied much. Drawing on personal experiences, as a documentarian and publisher of graffiti media over 27 years, Malcolm Jacobson recollects how the positions of participant and observer incessantly have twisted around each other. This has been mediated through development in media technology as well as by the coming of age of graffiti and its practitioners.

Loading Preview

Sorry, preview is currently unavailable. You can download the paper by clicking the button above.

RELATED PAPERS

Adam Graycar

Geert J Verhoeven , Jona Schlegel , Massimiliano Carloni

David Surridge

Andrea Mubi Brighenti

Myrto Tsilimpounidi

Aesthetic Pathways 1:2 (108-117)

Julie C Van Camp

The Social Science Journal

Jeffrey Ian Ross , Jacqueline Z. Wilson

Journal of Applied Youth Studies

The International Journal of the Arts in Society: Annual Review

Luz del Carmen Vilchis Esquivel

Gamze Toylan

Lira Dasmarinas

Document | archive | disseminate graffiti-scapes. Proceedings of the goINDIGO2022 international graffiti symposium

Jona Schlegel , Massimiliano Carloni , Geert J Verhoeven

Jacob Kimvall

Avramidis, K., & Tsilimpounidi, M. (Eds.). (2017). Graffiti and Street Art: Reading, Writing and Representing the City. London: Routledge.

Konstantinos Avramidis , Myrto Tsilimpounidi

Jessica Keough

Global Hip Hop Studies

Sina A. Nitzsche

The Journal of American Folklore

George Gonos

Scott Haskins , Maya Panizzon

Public Art Dialogue

Barak Bullock

Kristina Borhes

Susan Hansen (THIS PAGE NOT ACTIVE - FOR CURRENT WORK SEE WEBSITES LISTED BELOW)

Lisa Waldner , Betty Dobratz

The New York Times

The learning network | can graffiti ever be considered art.

Can Graffiti Ever Be Considered Art?

A work by Banksy in the West Bank city of Ramallah shows an Israeli soldier getting frisked. <a href="//www.nytimes.com/2013/02/18/books/banksy-the-man-behind-the-wall-by-will-ellsworth-jones.html">Go to related book review »</a>

Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

See all Student Opinion »

“I don’t know what art is, but….” People have been finishing this sentence with “I know what I like” or “I know it when I see it” for a long, long time.

How do you define “art”? It is something that shows mastery, has stood the test of time, speaks for the era in which it was created, is valued by the masses, is not valued by the masses–or something else?

In “Stalking a Most Prolific Phantom,” Michiko Kakutani reviews “Banksy: The Man Behind the Wall,” a book by Will Ellsworth-Jones that is about the work of the elusive graffiti artist.

The graffiti artist Banksy’s work is immediately recognizable: clever, funny, sometimes political stencils and artworks that have popped up on walls (and occasionally in museums and galleries) in cities around the world — giant rats clutching paint brushes or umbrellas or boom boxes; chimps wearing placards (“Laugh now, but one day we’ll be in charge”); trompe l’oeil windows/holes (opening out onto a mountain vista or a picturesque beach or a pretty cloudscape) on barrier walls in the West Bank; children wearing gas masks or chasing after balloons that are floating away. Some are out-and-out sight gags — giant scissors with cut-here dotted lines stenciled on a wall. Some are doctored works, replacing the Mona Lisa’s famous visage with a yellow smiley face or flinging some shopping carts into one of Monet’s tranquil water gardens. And some are oddly philosophical meditations: showing a leopard escaping from a bar-code zoo cage, or a woman hanging up a zebra’s stripes to dry on a laundry line. What they have in common is a coy playfulness — a desire to goad viewers into rethinking their surroundings, to acknowledge the absurdities of closely held preconceptions. Over the years Banksy has tried to maintain his anonymity. He has argued that he needs to hide his real identity because of the illegal nature of graffiti — that he “has issues with the cops,” that authenticating a street piece could be like “a signed confession.” But as obscurity has given way to fame and his works have become coveted — and costly — collectors’ pieces, critics have increasingly pointed out that Banksy has used anonymity as a marketing device, as another tool in his arsenal of publicity high jinks to burnish his own mystique. … Mr. Ellsworth-Jones’s book is at its most fascinating in tracing Banksy’s evolution from outsider, spraying walls in Bristol like dozens of other young graffiti practitioners, to international artist with work that “commands hundreds of thousands of pounds in the auction houses of Britain and America.” He is adept at examining some of the existential dilemmas this success created for Banksy — dilemmas shared by many outsider and counterculture artists, who suddenly find their work embraced by the very mainstream they’d once scorned. He also looks at the eclectic new fans (including kids and street toughs) that Banksy’s art has attracted to museums and galleries, and the debates over whether wall art by Banksy and other graffiti artists should be left on the streets, where it runs the danger of being written over, defaced, scrubbed clean by city cleaning crews or filched by opportunists eager to make a fast buck. Some argue that such pieces should be liberated, so that they can be preserved and exhibited in museums and other places. Others argue that context is everything, that these works were made for specific sites and need to be seen in their original environment. If they vanish, so be it; ephemerality is part of what street art is. (And besides, photographs posted on the Web, which has hugely accelerated his fame, can always provide a pictorial record.) In one interview, Banksy observed: “I’ve learnt from experience that a painting isn’t finished when you put down your brush — that’s when it starts. The public reaction is what supplies meaning and value. Art comes alive in the arguments you have about it.”

Students: Tell us …

What do you think of Banksy’s statement that public reaction gives art meaning? What examples back your point?
Do you consider the Banksy image shown above to be art? Why or why not?
Have you ever been moved by a piece of graffiti, street art or even a billboard?
Does the viewer need to be moved in order for something to be considered art? Why or why not?
How do you interpret Banksy’s anonymity? Is it art, marketing, shyness?

NOTE: Students, please use only your first name. For privacy policy reasons, we will not publish student comments that include a last name.

Comments are no longer being accepted.

I can see the kids in the Lascaux caves thousands of years ago painting on the walls, disapproved of by their elders, shooed away, retreating far back into the maze of caves to do their art.

Yes, perhaps that’s why much of that art is in out-of-the-way places, graffiti of the times.

And two thousand years from now, when archeologists uncover a spray painted wall or, perhaps, a carefully sprayed New York subway car, what will they make of it? Will they consider it the canvas of the 21st century masses, or will they attribute profound but dubious meaning to it, as current archeologists due with the Lascaux cave art?

I don’t usually appreciate grafitis because most time it is not done as art but only as vandalism. Graffiter confuse art with political motivation. The photo related might easily bring up a brawling, specially in places with a previous tension like Libia, Iraq or Afghanistan. These acts encourage people to create riots and it often leads to deaths.

Graffiti artists are are called artists for a reason: because it’s art. A regular person can not go to a canvas, put their emotions on the canvas and have it come out either beautiful, powerful, or a master piece. And while yes vandalism is illegal it is still art

I believe that Graffiti is considered art because art has a meaning behind it and has feelings beneath the picture itself and so does graffiti. People express themselves in art work, they can also express their emotions in graffiti. Art can make people feel something like sadness or happiness. Graffiti does the same. when your walking in the street and whenever you see graffiti you stop and look at it and you sometimes fell emotions I know that i have when I’ve driven by it in a car and seen it and it made me feel happy and put a smile on my face or it made me feel angry or depressed. Art wok lights up the room where it is and graffiti does the same, but it doesn’t light up a room it lights up the area it’s at. It gives the place more lively energy and a more positive outlook. Graffiti and artwork have more similarities than they have differences. Graffiti should be considered art work because it has all the accepts and traits of be art work.

I think graffiti should be considered art, for most people say that a picture is worth a thousand words. The reason people say this is, for that a picture has a much deeper meaning then just a random picture. Some people use art to show how they feel about themselves, or about other events around them. Some people use it to show other things like gang signs which isn’t always right but there expressing themselves. Taking away graffiti is like taking away a mural. Those are the same thing there symbolic showing and expressing something. I also believe that you shouldn’t take away graffiti because sometimes that’s the only way people can be heard. There is a movie out there called Step Up Revolution, and they use there dance and their art work to be heard about taking away peoples homes. Art can show everything about a person and it also could help people get off hard times. Art is a beautiful thing and some people use that instead of doing a sport. In conclusion i think that graffiti should be considered art.

What is art art could be a pile of trash a artist finds on the side of the road or Graffiti on a wall its art just the same. It may look like vandalism but it is art you don’t look down on an artist that just puts a red dot on a white canvas you marvel at that and think its amazing but when an artist graffiti’s a wall you look at it like vandalism but you see graffiti it can be shown as an art of vandalism but it can also be shown as something unique and amazing. So i disagree to those who say its not art because really art is the way you feel as you sculpt, make, or even think of a design its everywhere even in nature and the buildings you live in and there some who sit down and think what it is and what its not but the thing is its everything so why not Graffiti being art?

In my opinion i think that graffite is a way of art because it involves a theam to it but it also is vandalism.

I think it should be considered art because most of the pictures move people in ways that other art cant. Graffiti shows the real problems and what’s really going on in the word unlike other art that tries to show the word in a perfect state when its not. And most art doesn’t even look like anything it just looks like colors splattered on a page, but graffiti shows pictures that look life like and often tell a story.

I believe that some kinds of graffiti are considered a work of art because people have the right to show how they feel about things in the world in any form. People see the world in a lot of different ways. . Graffiti is just one of the many types of art. But in order to create graffiti you should be able to show how you feel about it and not just do it to show off your gang. Showing off your gangs name is not the type of graffiti I would like to see.

i think graffiti can be considered a work of art because many of the pieces artists paint are portraits of historical things or beautiful outlines of famous art work. Creating street art can be a beautiful piece of work when put to good use . But I don’t think gangs should use graffitti for their own personal agenda. People have the right to voice their opinion on how art transforms their life whether it be through street art or just a regular painting. So I really think street art can be a truly creative way of expressing yourself.

Public endorse an art work or not does, more or less, provide a meaning to the art itself. Since art is valued by personal opinions, it is hard to give a definition of “a good art” is. For example, van Gogh’s art works are not considered masterpieces until many years after his death. A same art work may receive totally different reviews about it. So it is obvious that public reaction, by how they value it, definitely gives “life” to an art work.

I think that the Graffiti is a way for people to express them selfs. When you are out on the streets a little more beautiful things would be nice. When people use it as a crim then they sould be punished for it. When you are doing it illegaly then you are not makeing art.

yes it is art.graffitti is all about art.Is all about what you see in your state of mind.ITS ABOUT EXPRESSING YOUR SELF ON WALLS.NO iv never been moved by a piece of graffiti, street art or even a billboard.why? because i dont do graffitti.

Graffiti to me is a sence of art work as long as it dosn’t involve hurtful images, words, or gang related things. I do belive that it should be kept in appropriate places and not just on random walls. For example, in a nieghborhood if there is really random graffiti that involves anything I listed above it will make it look ugly.

I think that graffiti should be considerd as art. Dont do it when you are not supposed to. It is the way that poeple feel in ways. If you are doing it illegaly then it is not art.

I believe that some griffiti could be considered art, but some graffiti are around just to distruct property. Graffiti is done for many reasons and some are for good reasons. Even though its not legal some people do it to express themselves on a higher level. I’ve seen it next to my house before and I didn’t really like it because it made my neighborhood look bad.

I think graffiti is considered as art, because it revolves with people seeing all of the beautiful, pictures, and also all the pretty different colors on the art that people design.

Art is a method of expressing ones personal feelings. Graffiti can be interpreted this way as well. although graffiti is considered destroying personal property and illegal throughout the country, I personally believe that it is an appropriate way of expressing feelings. For someone to take the time and effort to graffiti the side of a mountain or underneath the underpass on the highway, it shows the passion that one person has for art. Graffiti is a form of art, just a form of art that is wrongly frowned upon in society. Those who graffiti are punished severely for doing so, while all they are attempting to accomplish is expressing their emotions on a blank piece of landscape. Graffiti will be and should currently be accepted in society.

the question of “is it art?” has been laid to rest for nearly a hundred years now regarding any style or any medium. Anything can be considered art, ANYTHING! I believe the question people should be discussing is whether something is good art or bad art. I grow weary of the everyman looking at an art piece and saying “that ain’t art!”. Duchamp said that the artist of the future will merely have to point to something to make it art. Which means anything can be art and it isn’t for anyone but the artist to decide that. If the viewer chooses, he or she can then decide and discuss whether its good or not until they are blue in the face.

I can understand why spray painting on buildings would be illegal, but graffiti is another form of self expression. It is another way for people to share their thoughts and feelings with others. And to show citizens that they do not just go around vandalizing property because they please too, but to show them that they possess skills and talent. If one can become famous from splattering some paint on a canvas, then why can’t those that graffiti become well known too? Graffiti art tells its audience a story, and that should be recognized and praised for.

Modern day graffiti is artwork done illegally on public or private property. There is a post-graffiti movement of artwork influenced by graffiti in a gallery setting. There is really no name for this yet. Some tried to label it graffuturism.

People don’t understand the emotion that is put behind graffiti, every peice is telling a story. Some are about life, others are political, and yet the ones who ‘vandalize’ are penalized for simply doing what America has given us the right to do. I can understand that business owners don’t want spray paint showing up on the sides of their buildings, but where else do you expect them to go? If a person can become famouse for drawing a bunch of shapes then shouldn’t a message or a picture done for the public be art? Art is the expression of emotions, that’s exactally what graffiti is, raw expression to the world around them.

Graffiti takes thought, emotion, and creativity just like any other form of art. Graffiti should be considered art and not an illegal act because to us, the people, it’s the beauty of expression. The thought behind graffiti is showing the human condition in a beautiful outspoken, and rebellious sort of way. The world isn’t perfect so why should the way we express it be?

I think it can be considered art because of the meaning of it . Its not meant to be visualy appealing but to bring attention to a problem . If you look at modern art you usually get no meaning from it . Its absract and meaningless . its meant for looks . Graffiti is meant to have a reason behind . I understand its not always this way though . The people that make meaning of it and make it to bring attention and not to destroy things have created works of art .

Graffiti is not about is it art or not, it has to do with painting on property that does not belong to teh person painting, plain and simple. Steve F. You mention kids painting caves being art, well that is true, but remember, they were painting in the caves they lived. Had they scurried over to another persons cave and painted unwanted symbols, and been caught, it would have been a death sentence carried out right then then and there. Graffiti can be art if done on any medium, with permission from the person who owns the property. Even if Van Gogh had taken his talents and went and painted on the Venus de Milo statue, it would not have been considered art. It is a simple mind that can not understand the respect for the property of others.

What's Next

Home / Essay Samples / Art / Graffiti / Analysis Of Graffiti As A Form Of Art Or Vandalism

Analysis Of Graffiti As A Form Of Art Or Vandalism

Category: Art
Topic: Graffiti , Street Art

Pages: 3 (1402 words)

Downloads: -->

--> ⚠️ Remember: This essay was written and uploaded by an--> click here.

Found a great essay sample but want a unique one?

are ready to help you with your essay

You won’t be charged yet!

Postmodernism Essays

Painting Essays

Color Essays

Realism Essays

Frida Kahlo Essays

Related Essays

We are glad that you like it, but you cannot copy from our website. Just insert your email and this sample will be sent to you.

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Your essay sample has been sent.

In fact, there is a way to get an original essay! Turn to our writers and order a plagiarism-free paper.

samplius.com uses cookies to offer you the best service possible.By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .--> -->

Meaning of I Am Graffiti by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

More from this artist

Trending this week

i am graffiti

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

HELPFUL LINKS

i am graffiti

Related Posts

Title Fight

There Goes the Neighbourhood

Fund the journalism that helps you make informed decisions. Fund The Walrus.

Calabasas Courier Online

Graffiti should be recognized as art, not vandalism

Comments (23)

Graffiti: Is it a form of Expression or Vandalism?

Related posts:

2 thoughts on “ Graffiti: Is it a form of Expression or Vandalism? ”

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

84 Graffiti Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Defining Graffiti: Art or Vandalism

Related Papers

RELATED PAPERS

RELATED TOPICS

The New York Times

Can Graffiti Ever Be Considered Art?

What's Next

Analysis Of Graffiti As A Form Of Art Or Vandalism

Related Essays