graafitus

Graafitus is a term sometimes used to refer to graffiti or related forms of street art. The word resembles various European spellings of graffito and likely shares etymological roots with the Italian graffito and the Greek graphein, meaning "to write." In usage, graafitus denotes markings, drawings, or paintings applied in public or semi-public spaces, created with materials such as spray paint, markers, stencils, paste-ups, or carved inscriptions.

Styles associated with graafitus range from simple tags and lettering to complex murals, political posters, and pictorial works. Techniques include freehand spray painting, stencil cutting for repeatable motifs, wheatpaste posters, sticker art, and large-scale commissioned murals. Artists may work anonymously, collaboratively, or under recognized identities, and techniques often reflect the artist’s intent, whether quick marking, aesthetic experimentation, or social commentary.

The social and legal status of graafitus is contested. In many jurisdictions unsanctioned works are treated as vandalism and subject to removal or penalties, while sanctioned projects and commissioned murals are embraced as public art. Debates over preservation, artistic merit, property rights, and urban policy shape how communities respond to graafitus. Academic and cultural institutions study its history, visual language, and role in urban environments, recognizing its capacity to communicate identity, protest, and neighborhood change.