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Overview
What is Graffiti Art?
1970s – presentPeriod
New York, United StatesBegan in
12Key artists on this page
7Works with free images
2Museums to visit
Graffiti (singular graffiti, or graffito only in graffiti archaeology) is writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from simple written "monikers" to elaborate wall paintings, and has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire. Modern graffiti is a controversial subject. In most countries, marking or painting property without permission is considered vandalism. Modern graffiti began in the New York City subway system and Philadelphia in the early 1970s and later spread to the rest of the United States and throughout the world. Graffiti is distinguished from murals, an often legally permitted form of street art.From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Original Art Movements text
This is the text that appeared on this page on the original Art Movements site. It is kept for reference; some statements are simplified or out of date. Where it differs from the overview, characteristics and dates above, which are checked against Wikipedia and Wikidata, trust those instead.
This was a movement which achieved an enormous amount of success in New York in the 1980s. It was named after the spray-can vandalism common in most cities and most associated with the New York subway system.
The two most successful figures of this movement were Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. The New York art scene embraced Graffiti Art, with several galleries specialising in the genre and a Museum of American Graffiti opening in 1989.
The genre was big business with artists in the field selling their work for huge amounts. The two most prominent figures died young, however, and the style soon went out of fashion.
You Are Beautiful by Matthew Hoffman, 2002 · Wikimedia Commons · CC0
Period
1970s – present
Began in
New York, United States
Key artists
Keith Haring, Invader, Panmela Castro, Ememem
Related
Postmodernism, Photorealism, Conceptual Art
How to recognise it
Key characteristics of Graffiti Art
Spray paint and markers
Stylised lettering, 'tags' and 'pieces'
Bright colour and bold outlines
Public spaces, walls and trains
Close links with hip hop culture
Timeline
When was Graffiti Art?
Graffiti Art is usually dated 1970s – present, beginning in New York, United States. Dates for art movements are approximate: artists joined and left, and styles overlapped.
Each bar shows an artist's life; the shaded band is the main period of Graffiti Art.
Keith Haring
Invader
Cyril Kongo
Swoon
Panmela Castro
eL Seed
Dmitry Levochkin
Xadalu Tupã Jekupé
Jisbar
Chris Marchese
Pokras Lampas
Graffiti Art
1958–1990
born 1969
born 1969
born 1978
born 1981
born 1981
born 1982
born 1985
born 1989
born 1990
born 1991
1960197019801990200020102020
Who
Key Graffiti Art artists
Artists linked to Graffiti Art in Wikidata, ordered by how widely they are covered on Wikipedia. Artists marked Art Icons have a full profile on our sister site.
6 questions drawn from this page, shuffled every time. Then try the full art movements quiz.
Watch
Graffiti Art explained on video
Hand-picked YouTube videos. They load only when you press play.
Is graffiti art? Or vandalism? - Kelly Wall
TED-Ed · 4:32
The Weird History of Graffiti
Desert Docs · 8:48
Sly Artistic City - Philly graffiti history
Robert Moran · 1:06:58
Plan a visit
Where to see Graffiti Art
Collections that hold the works on this page. Displays change, so check with the museum before you travel.
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Germany
Mercedes-Benz Art Collection
The Boxers
Pisa, Italy
Sant'Antonio Abate
Tuttomondo
FAQ
Graffiti Art: common questions
What is Graffiti Art?
Spray-painted lettering and imagery from New York's streets and subways, which entered galleries in the 1980s.
When was Graffiti Art?
Graffiti Art: 1970s – present. It began in New York, United States. Dates for art movements are approximate.
What are the main characteristics of Graffiti Art?
Spray paint and markers; Stylised lettering, 'tags' and 'pieces'; Bright colour and bold outlines; Public spaces, walls and trains; Close links with hip hop culture.
Who are the most famous Graffiti Art artists?
Keith Haring, Invader, Panmela Castro, Ememem, Swoon.
What are some famous Graffiti Art works?
You Are Beautiful by Matthew Hoffman; The Boxers by Keith Haring; Tuttomondo by Keith Haring; mural of Keith Haring by Keith Haring; PA_005 by Invader.
Where can I see Graffiti Art art?
Mercedes-Benz Art Collection (Germany), Sant'Antonio Abate (Pisa, Italy) hold works shown on this page.
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