grafita

Grafita is a form of public visual expression that includes inscriptions, drawings, and paintings applied on surfaces in urban environments. It is typically created on walls, trains, and other structures, often without official permission, though commissioned graffiti and street art projects exist and are publicly exhibited. The term grafita is used in several languages to refer to this practice.

The word derives from Italian graffito, meaning a scratch or carved mark; in many languages grafita or grafite is the common term for graffiti. In English, the term graffiti covers both crude signatures and large, elaborate murals. Graffiti encompasses diverse styles, including tags (the artist’s signature), throw-ups (quickly executed letters), and pieces (short for murals with complex color and design).

Common techniques include spray paint, permanent markers, stencils, stickers, and paste-ups. Artists also use wheatpaste posters, mosaic tiling, and light projection in some works. The practice functions as a medium for self-expression, political statements, or cultural commentary, and it intersects with the wider realm of street art.

Historically, modern graffiti emerged in the late 1960s and 1970s in cities like New York and Philadelphia, spreading worldwide in the 1980s and beyond. It has played a role in urban identity and youth culture, while also provoking legal and property concerns. Some governments and communities support legal walls or mural programs as a way to reduce vandalism and promote art.

Notable figures associated with graffiti who achieved broader recognition include Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Shepard Fairey, Os Gêmeos, and Blu.