GraffGraffitiiti

Art Art Mr. HobbsMr. Hobbs

What is What is Graffiti?Graffiti? Graffiti art doesn't just mean art we see Graffiti art doesn't just mean art we see

sprayed on walls. In fact, graffiti art has sprayed on walls. In fact, graffiti art has such strong characteristics that it's easy to such strong characteristics that it's easy to spot them everywherespot them everywhere

Where do you often see graffiti?Where do you often see graffiti? Graffiti is sometimes regarded as a form of Graffiti is sometimes regarded as a form of

abstract modern art and other times abstract modern art and other times regarded as unsightly damage or regarded as unsightly damage or unwanted vandalism.unwanted vandalism.

Are there Are there “Rules” For “Rules” For Graffiti Art?Graffiti Art? There are no strict rules to creating graffiti There are no strict rules to creating graffiti

art, but there are distinct characteristics that art, but there are distinct characteristics that make graffiti art appear stylish. Let's see make graffiti art appear stylish. Let's see what those characteristics are:what those characteristics are: Loose FormsLoose Forms Subjects overlapSubjects overlap Highlights applied to letters or imageHighlights applied to letters or image 3D impression3D impression Colourful and Bright - colors like red, orange, Colourful and Bright - colors like red, orange,

yellow, green and blue are preferredyellow, green and blue are preferred

Is it a Legal Is it a Legal form of Art?form of Art?

In most countries, defacing property with graffiti without In most countries, defacing property with graffiti without the property owner's consent is considered vandalism.the property owner's consent is considered vandalism.

Controversies that surround graffiti continue to create Controversies that surround graffiti continue to create disagreement amongst city officials, law enforcement and disagreement amongst city officials, law enforcement and graffiti artists looking to display their work in public graffiti artists looking to display their work in public locations. locations.

The best thing to do is practice graffiti in a sketchbook or The best thing to do is practice graffiti in a sketchbook or blackbook. blackbook.

Some artists even buy their own walls to practice on.Some artists even buy their own walls to practice on. Nowadays, graffiti artists can be employed by companies Nowadays, graffiti artists can be employed by companies

to advertise or create artwork to cover up boring walls.to advertise or create artwork to cover up boring walls.

How long has it How long has it existed?existed? Since ancient Greece and the Roman Empire when Since ancient Greece and the Roman Empire when

lettering and figures were scratched or painted into walls.lettering and figures were scratched or painted into walls. In modern times, spray paint, normal paint and markers In modern times, spray paint, normal paint and markers

have become the most commonly used materials.have become the most commonly used materials. Evolved into a pop culture existence often related to Evolved into a pop culture existence often related to

underground hip hop music and break dancing creating a underground hip hop music and break dancing creating a lifestyle that remains hidden from the general public.lifestyle that remains hidden from the general public.

Nowadays, many graffiti artists had taken to displaying Nowadays, many graffiti artists had taken to displaying their works in galleries and owning their own studios. their works in galleries and owning their own studios.

This practice started in the early 1980s with artists such This practice started in the early 1980s with artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, who started out tagging as Jean-Michel Basquiat, who started out tagging locations with his signature and Keith Haring, who was locations with his signature and Keith Haring, who was also able to take his art into studio spaces.also able to take his art into studio spaces.

Graffiti and Graffiti and CultureCulture Graffiti is often seen as having become intertwined with Graffiti is often seen as having become intertwined with

hip hop culture and the myriad of international styles hip hop culture and the myriad of international styles derived from New York City Subway graffiti (see derived from New York City Subway graffiti (see below). However, there are many other instances of below). However, there are many other instances of notable graffiti this century. Graffiti has long appeared notable graffiti this century. Graffiti has long appeared on and subways. on and subways.

Grew in popularity in the 70sGrew in popularity in the 70s 80s gave rise to stencil graffiti80s gave rise to stencil graffiti Marc Ecko, an urban clothing designer, has been an Marc Ecko, an urban clothing designer, has been an

advocate of graffiti as an art form during this period, advocate of graffiti as an art form during this period, stating that "Graffiti is without question the most stating that "Graffiti is without question the most powerful art movement in recent history and has been powerful art movement in recent history and has been a driving inspiration throughout my career."a driving inspiration throughout my career."[[

Graffiti Graffiti VocabVocab

A "tag" is the most basic A "tag" is the most basic writing of an artist's writing of an artist's name.name.

A graffiti writer's tag is A graffiti writer's tag is his or her personalized his or her personalized signature. signature.

The "throw-up," also known as a "bombing" The "throw-up," also known as a "bombing" which is normally painted very quickly with two which is normally painted very quickly with two or three colors, sacrificing aesthetics for speed. or three colors, sacrificing aesthetics for speed.

Throw-ups can also be outlined on a surface Throw-ups can also be outlined on a surface with one color. with one color.

A "piece" is a more elaborate representation of A "piece" is a more elaborate representation of the artist's name, incorporating more stylized the artist's name, incorporating more stylized letters, usually incorporating a much larger letters, usually incorporating a much larger range of colors. range of colors.

A more complex A more complex style is "wildstyle", style is "wildstyle", a form of graffiti a form of graffiti usually involving usually involving interlocking letters interlocking letters and connecting and connecting points.points.

Can you read it??

Graffiti Artist: Graffiti Artist: BanksyBanksy

Banksy is one of the world’s most notorious Banksy is one of the world’s most notorious and popular street artist who continues to and popular street artist who continues to remain faceless in today’s society.remain faceless in today’s society.

Known for political, anti-war stencil art in Known for political, anti-war stencil art in England but his work can be seen anywhere England but his work can be seen anywhere from Los Angeles to Palestine. from Los Angeles to Palestine.

In the UK, Banksy is the most recognizable In the UK, Banksy is the most recognizable icon for this cultural artistic movement and icon for this cultural artistic movement and keeps his identity a secret to avoid arrest. keeps his identity a secret to avoid arrest.

Much of Banksy's artwork can be seen around the Much of Banksy's artwork can be seen around the streets of London and surrounding suburbs.streets of London and surrounding suburbs.

Banksy’s art is a prime example of the classic Banksy’s art is a prime example of the classic controversy: vandalism vs. art. controversy: vandalism vs. art.

Art supporters endorse his work distributed in Art supporters endorse his work distributed in urban areas as pieces of art while city officials and urban areas as pieces of art while city officials and law enforcement have deemed all work by Banksy law enforcement have deemed all work by Banksy to be vandalism and property destruction.to be vandalism and property destruction.

Many members of Bristol’s communities feel that Many members of Bristol’s communities feel that Banksy’s graffiti reduces property value and Banksy’s graffiti reduces property value and encourages rogue behavior. encourages rogue behavior.

Your Graffiti Your Graffiti ProjectProject

Check out the rubric to see what’s up…Check out the rubric to see what’s up… Here is a Here is a Graffiti creator Graffiti creator which is a which is a

useful tool to help you with lettering and useful tool to help you with lettering and creating your own style. creating your own style.

Now, practice some lettering in your

sketchbooks.