Graffiti

People make art on walls.

They use drawings or writing. This can be done with spray paint. Some people use markers too.

This art is very old. People in ancient times scratched marks into stone. They used sharp tools to do this. They also used coal or chalk.

Some art is very big. These are called murals. Murals are often allowed on walls.

Modern art started in big cities. It began in New York and Philadelphia. Young people painted on subway trains. It spread all around the world.

People use art to share ideas. It can show what they think. It is a way to speak out.

Graffiti is writing or drawing on walls.

People often do this without permission. It can be a simple name or a big painting. This art is very old. People in ancient Egypt and Greece made it. Some people used sharp tools to scratch marks into stone. Others used chalk or coal.

In ancient Rome, it was a way to talk to others. It was not always seen as a bad thing.

Modern graffiti started in the 1970s. It began in New York City and Philadelphia. Young people painted on subway trains. This style was shaped by hip hop culture. Artists used spray paint and markers to make tags. A tag is a stylized name.

Later, they made larger works called pieces. Some people call this vandalism. Others see it as art.

Today, graffiti is all over the world. In Brazil, a type called pichação is used for protest. In Africa, artists use it to talk about social issues. In the Middle East, it helps people raise their voices.

It is a way for people to share their ideas.

Graffiti is the act of making drawings or writing on walls and other surfaces.

Most people do this in public without asking for permission first. It can be a simple name, which is called a moniker. It can also be a large, colorful painting. This art form is very old and has existed since ancient times. People in ancient Egypt, Greece, and the Roman Empire all left marks behind.

While some see it as art, many countries consider it vandalism because it marks property without permission. This is different from a mural, which is a large painting that is often allowed.

There are many ways to make graffiti. In the past, people used sharp objects to scratch marks into stone. They also used simple things like chalk or coal. Some early artists used a tube to blow paint over their hands. This created a stencil of their hand on the wall. Today, most people use spray paint and markers to create their work. They might make a quick tag or a larger piece.

Some artists even use paint markers or special scratching tools to get the look they want.

History shows that graffiti has been around for thousands of years. The oldest cave paintings in Australia are between 40,000 and 10,000 years old. In ancient Greece, the oldest known written graffiti was found on the island of Astypalaia around 500 BC. In ancient Rome, graffiti was a common way for people to communicate. Even famous Renaissance artists like Michelangelo carved their names into old ruins.

In the 1800s, workers and travelers known as hobos began leaving monikers on traincars. This helped show where they had been.

Modern graffiti as we know it began in the early 1970s. It started in the subway systems of New York City and Philadelphia. This style was heavily shaped by hip hop culture. Artists like TAKI 183 and Cornbread were among the first to use stylized tags. Later, artists moved from trains to city walls after the New York City metro began painting over their work.

In the 1980s, films like Style Wars showed the world the work of writers like Skeme and DONDI. This helped spread the culture even further.

Today, graffiti is a global movement with many different meanings. In Brazil, a style called pichação is used as a form of protest. In Africa, artists use street art to talk about social and environmental issues. In the Middle East, graffiti helps people raise their voices during times of change.

It is a tool for expression that connects people across the world. Whether it is a political message or a simple name, it shows that people want to be seen and heard.

Graffiti refers to writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface. This act usually occurs in public view and without the owner's permission. The term comes from the Italian word "graffiato," which means "scratched." In archaeology, the singular form is called a "graffito." Graffiti can range from simple written "monikers," or names, to very large and elaborate wall paintings. While many people see it as art, most countries consider marking property without permission to be vandalism. This distinguishes it from murals, which are large paintings that are often permitted.

Artists use various methods and tools to create these marks. In ancient times, people often used sharp objects to carve into stone. They also used simple materials like chalk or coal. Some early artists used a tube to blow paint over their hands to create stencils. This technique functioned similarly to a modern-day tag. Today, the primary tools are spray paint and markers. Artists also use paint markers, paint dabbers, and specialized scratching tools to create their work. These tools allow for different styles, such as "tags," "throw-ups," or larger "pieces."

Graffiti has a very long history spanning thousands of years. The oldest examples include cave paintings in Australia, which date back 40,000 to 10,000 years. In ancient Greece, the oldest known written graffito was found on the island of Astypalaia around 500 BC. These markings included word games, comments on gladiators, and "I was here" messages. In ancient Rome, graffiti served as a common form of communication. It was not always viewed as vandalism. However, some markings, like the Alexamenos graffito, were considered blasphemous and removed.

During the medieval and Renaissance periods, graffiti continued to appear in different forms. In Scandinavia, people scratched "Tacherons" onto Romanesque church walls. During the Renaissance, famous artists like Michelangelo and Raphael visited ancient ruins. They carved or painted their names in these locations. This practice actually helped initiate the "grottesche" style of decoration. In the late 1800s, a different type of graffiti emerged. Hobos and railworkers began leaving monikers on traincars. These markings documented their travels across the country.

Modern graffiti culture began in the early 1970s. It started in the subway systems of New York City and Philadelphia. This movement was heavily influenced by hip hop culture. Early artists like TAKI 183 and Cornbread created stylized tags. As the New York City metro began painting over subway cars, artists moved their work to city walls. In the 1980s, the film "Style Wars" helped spread this culture. It featured famous writers like Skeme, DONDI, MinOne, and ZEPHYR. This film showed the world how graffiti was part of the emerging hip-hop scene.

Today, graffiti is a global phenomenon with many regional styles. In Brazil, a form called "pichação" uses tall characters and is often used for protest. In Africa, artists use street art to raise awareness about social and environmental issues. Festivals like FESTIGRAFF in Senegal help promote these artists. In the Middle East, graffiti has become a tool for political and social expression. This was especially true following the Arab Spring in 2011. In Europe, artists use stencil graffiti or participate in large festivals like UpFest in England.

Graffiti also intersects with commercial interests and popular culture. In 2001, IBM used spray paint in an ad campaign to represent "Peace, Love, and Linux." However, the company had to pay for clean-up costs and damages. Later, in 2005, Sony launched a campaign for the PlayStation Portable. Sony avoided legal issues by paying building owners for the right to paint on them. This shows how the lines between vandalism and commercial art can become blurred. Whether used for protest, advertising, or personal expression, graffiti remains a powerful way for people to leave their mark on the world.