graafis

Graffiti refers to writings, drawings, and symbols applied to surfaces in public or semi-public spaces. It is often created with spray paint, markers, stencils, or stickers. While frequently associated with illicit activity, graffiti also encompasses legally commissioned street art and mural projects that aim to transform urban environments.

Although humans have left marks on walls for millennia, modern graffiti as a movement began in the late 1960s and 1970s in North America, notably New York and Philadelphia. Early writers used quick signatures called tags to claim space, which later evolved into more elaborate pieces and organized crews. The practice spread globally and became associated with hip‑hop culture, urban identity, and, in some places, municipal art programs.

Common techniques include aerosol spray painting, marker lettering, stencils, stickers, and wheatpaste posters. The main styles in graffiti are tags (simple signatures), throw-ups (two-color bubble letters), pieces (large, complex color works), and wildstyle (interwoven letters). Some artists experiment with murals, photorealism, or character design.

Graffiti is frequently illegal, with penalties varying by jurisdiction. Property owners may remove works or press charges, while cities increasingly regulate through permits and sanctioned walls or festivals that invite legal commissions.

Graffiti has influenced urban aesthetics, popular culture, and contemporary art. It raises questions about vandalism versus expression, property rights, and gentrification. Notable figures associated with graffiti and street art include Banksy and, in his early years, artists who transitioned to the gallery world.