Some dismiss graffiti as unsightly vandalism—others might see it as art. Viewpoint aside, it is difficult to deny graffiti's perennial status as it traces back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.
While most jurisdictions condemn the defacement of public and private property, graffiti has survived for centuries as arguably one of the most controversial yet pervasive media.
Yes, it is illegal and often an unsightly nuisance. Yes it is divergent from other conventional modes of artistic expression. But I argue there is something valuable in the visual depictions and messages that these artists find necessary to subversively and publicly display. Graffiti is honest and revealing.
Some people (perhaps if I actually had an audience) would probably bitch how I am glorifying graffiti; in particular they might cite its potentially dangerous forms such as gang or racist graffiti to counter my argument. While I do not particularly enjoy these formats, I still maintain my stance--their presence, though threatening, is nonetheless revealing, relevant and robustly indicative of social patterns.
The motivation and context of graffiti is variable as we will see from a few examples. Bear in mind that the following photographs and pieces of work contained within appear(ed) in various places around Sydney (in a jurisdiction where even carrying around a metal can of spray paint without a legally protected reason can run you a $550 AUD fine) and their messages do not reflect my personal opinions. Do also consider that these are just a selection--the range of graffiti's impact is boundless and certainly spills out the parameters of one blog post.
THE POLITICAL
"i-Hate" as seen on April 9, 2009 on Wilson Street, Newtown, NSW
"Howard's Dream is Our Nightmare" as seen on April 7 at "The Wall", Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown, NSW
DEFACEMENT
"Glad This is Not My Garage" as seen on April 5 at "Graffiti Alley", May Lane, St. Peters, NSW
CONFUSING
"Skeleton and Eyeballhead" as seen on March 30, 2009 at "The Wall", Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown, NSW
"Sick, Wise, Give, Free, Heat, Fuck" as seen on March 29, 2009 at "The Wall", Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown, NSW
"Royalty" as seen on April 6, 2009 on "The Wall", Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown, NSW
COMMANDS
"My Schoolbus Driver's Favorite Catchphrase" as seen on April 7, 2009 on Egan Street, Newtown, NSW
"Eat Shrooms" as seen on "April 2, 2009 at "The Wall", Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown, NSW
OBSERVATIONS
THE FRIGHTENING
"Drooling Blood" as seen on April 2, 2009 at "The Wall", Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, "The Wall", Newtown, NSW
"The Head" as seen on April 2, 2009 at "The Wall", Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, "The Wall", Newtown, NSW
THE QUESTIONS
"Why Are Lesbians Angry?" as seen on April 2, 2009 at "The Wall", Camperdown Memorial Rest Park, Newtown NSW
