“If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then you have to live a lie” – Banksy

Now we know why Banksy, the famous graffiti artist, is yet to reveal his identity.

Every form of art has its purpose and the purpose of graffiti is to be seen without getting caught and to convey important messages. Graffiti can be criminal, political, humorous, and simultaneously beautiful and awe-inspiring. Moreover, it provides insights into the people, politics, subcultures, counter-cultures, and socioeconomics of an area.

The birthplace of graffiti is New York and it has gradually spread over the years to the UK, Sweden, Germany, France, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia.

Graffiti artists are usually anonymous. Often graffiti is removed or painted over by the city or building owners. This helps us understand why Banksy made the statement quoted earlier.

What is graffiti?

Graffiti is not gallery or museum material; instead, it is a form of drawing, writing, or marking made on walls or other surfaces, often in public spaces, without the explicit permission of the property owner. Graffiti can consist of simple written words, elaborate drawings, or even abstract designs.

Graffiti is differentiated from street art by the fact that it is usually illegally produced and often involves the unauthorised marking of public or private spaces by individuals or groups.

Have you ever heard of Cornbread?

Darryl McCray, also known as Cornbread, is recognised as the father of modern-day graffiti. He has an interesting story about how he started his graffiti journey when he fell in love with a girl named Cynthia and began writing ‘Cornbread Loves Cynthia’ to capture her attention.

In the late 1960s, he, along with a group of friends, began ‘tagging’ (the graffiti artist’s signature, although artists usually use a fictitious name instead of their real one) Philadelphia by writing their nicknames on walls across the city. This movement eventually spread to New York and bloomed into the modern graffiti movement, reaching its peak in the US in the 1980s and gradually expanded to Europe.

In the early ’70s, art galleries in New York started purchasing graffiti, leading to the emergence of numerous graffiti artists. Notable figures in the graffiti world include Banksy, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Shepard Fairey, Keith Haring, and Dondi White. Artists like Banksy have reached a point where their works are exhibited in commercial spaces and are sold for substantial amounts of money.

Conveying a message 

What I love about graffiti is its ability to convey important messages through creative art, often created illegally in public places.

I often binge through Banksy’s Instagram profile, enjoying his graffiti and being in awe of how powerful they are. There is art, there is a message, there is thrill, and there is anonymity, so what is not to love about graffiti, especially Banksy’s?

My favourite graffiti piece is Banksy’s ‘Ghetto 4 Life,’ located in the South Bronx, New York, because, from what I have gathered, I love the way he emphasises on the importance of treating artists well.

Dig deep and discover your own favourite!

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