It is without a doubt that Graffiti Art is one of the most defining art forms of the historical contemporary art movement which first gained traction during the beginning of the 20th century. Known for its technique which focuses less on sophistication and more on its appeal to the masses, contemporary art is primarily identified with a free nature that veers away from strict rules and principles.
This identity that Graffiti Art and Contemporary Art have been known for seemingly clashes with the presumed sophistication and rigidness that Fine Art holds in general. To provide context, Fine Art is defined as the highest form of visual creative expression that an artist can ever possess.
Usually, since fine art is linked with unlocking one’s inner creative capabilities, the term is popularly related to ideas of intellectualism and spiritual discovery of one’s self through a symbiosis with visual arts.
Well, enough of the fancy terms — in a nutshell, most people relate Fine Art with Traditional Art that master artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Vincent Van Gogh have come to perfect in their styles, while Graffiti Art is mistakenly tied up with simple vandalism.
Obviously, this notion that Graffiti Art is nothing more than a mere intent to damage or deface public properties does not hold any truth at all. As people have come to notice, the elements of Graffiti Art have developed throughout the years to create a certain pattern that many artists have grown to incorporate in their own styles as well.
Elements that make up Graffiti Art include symbols of modern culture such as commercial products, mainstream celebrities, and statements that speak out against a variety of social issues and societal problems.
And if one looks into the nature of Graffiti Art closer, it would seem that, when compared with Traditional Art, the Graffiti style only differs in its visual structure but the themes that it possesses are closely related to the messages that lay underneath the artworks of old.
With the emergence of famous Graffiti artists such as Banksy who have earned the respect of fellow artists and art institutions worldwide — fetching hefty price tags for works that have their signature style on them, it is also clear to see that the art world has gradually come to accept Graffiti Art as a respectable form of Fine Art.
As Graffiti Art grew in influence ever since it was formed in street culture, both the public and critics alike have recognized the Graffiti community as a creative representation of modern life and as such, demands the same amount of respect that is given to classic artworks that also depicted life as it is centuries ago.
One could say that Graffiti is an innovation of Art as we know it. While some have continued to focus on the “destruction of public property” aspect of the street art form, the influence and impact that Graffiti has forever imprinted in the art community can not be discredited nonetheless.
And as Graffiti Art is slowly becoming integrated with the modern generations — even outside the realms of art — it is without a doubt that the iconic street art style that has defined modern society in its own ways will be ultimately accepted by the majority as Fine Art.
Check out a series of my graffiti art prints.