What are your thoughts on graffiti?

So, I recently became very interested in graffiti, or more so the the graffiti art style. I used to see graffiti on the streets and other places and I thought most of it just seemed tacky or ghetto. Now that i have gotten into it and started practicing the style, my whole view has changed. Now when I look at it I can appreciate the handstyle of the artist or if it is in a public space in plain sight I can feel some what of a little respect forr whoever did it because they basically risked their freedom (by that i mean they risked going to jail) just to get their name or some message out there. I still am annoyed if a piece looks rushed or just is stupid or overall not a good piece, but I am able to look at it and critique it. What are your thoughts on graffiti? How do you feel about it? Do you think it is tacky or do you think it is cool? I really am interested in hearing what other people think.

I love looking at different styles and artistic aspects of some pieces (ie. color scheme, text effects, ect.) but throwups/tags are just plain ugly to me. "Street art" (stencils & wheatpaste pieces mostly) are cool as well if they have an actual message.

At the end of the day it is defacing property but the fact that someone was willing to take the risk to put up their art makes it that much more beautiful to me (if the piece is good of course).

Well personally I always see graffiti where I live, but most of the time is just has profanity and obscene writings in it. Graffiti shouldn't be written on public walls and other's private property. You can respect graffiti artists for their rebellion and passion, but at the end of the day they are breaking the law. If you wanna do what you love, that's fine. Just don't go around vandalizing other people's shit to transmit a message.

Zay said:

I love looking at different styles and artistic aspects of some pieces (ie. color scheme, text effects, ect.) but throwups/tags are just plain ugly to me. "Street art" (stencils & wheatpaste pieces mostly) are cool as well if they have an actual message.

At the end of the day it is defacing property but the fact that someone was willing to take the risk to put up their art makes it that much more beautiful to me (if the piece is good of course).

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I completely agree with you! I feel the exact same way! My way of looking at public work is, If you are going to take the risk of going to jail, you might as well do something you will be proud of and that other people will appreciate. There is no point in doing a shitty piece in public.

TL;DR but I used to tag a lot and still do it here and there. The city I live in doesn't have many places to tag anymore, though.

The area i live in in Australia is bombed with graffiti, and the people I hung out with were also vandals. So stupid me I tagged along, use to ditch school during lunch hours cause most people were at work, and go "tag" wherever we could without cameras. Such as bus stops, shops, signs and train station elevators. It was the best rush, yet so stupid at the same time. Leaving your house at 3 in the morning, walking on the freeway with a bag full of spray cans, marking your territory with your name. Until one day cops showed up, and we all ran. Luckily I didn't get caught. :3 my friends got busted and charged with so many fines, but I wasn't mentioned and caught. This was 2-3 years ago as well.

Hostage said:

Our country has the best street artist in the world and im sticking to that. My opinion on graffiti is as long as it has some meaning and its in a discreet place there is nothing wrong with it. That's my opinion, now check out my boy Banksy below!

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Banksy and robbo were my idols, robbo especially!

Witch said:

Banksy and robbo were my idols, robbo especially!

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It is too bad that Banksy and Robbo have a fued with each other. They are both amazing and I would love to see a piece that they did together where they incorporated both of their styles.

Graffiti is put in the wrong, it is a form of art, and the media should not frown upon it. Of course, unless it is vandalism on houses, etc.

So fuckin uncool on the sides of people's houses. I hate shitty tags (don't know what they're called) but like a plain color of paint with a shitty signature seems so fuckin' stupid to me. Don't ever do it on someone's house. On government property like under bridges, if you do good are, do it.

I think graffiti that shows actual talent is awesome and looks insane, but it's so FUCKED to do it on the side of someone's personal property. Just my two cents.

Hostage said:

Our country has the best street artist in the world and im sticking to that. My opinion on graffiti is as long as it has some meaning and its in a discreet place there is nothing wrong with it.  That's my opinion, now check out my boy Banksy below!

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I completely agree. Banksy = My favourite artist ever.

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Completely agree with @Hostage - Personally, I've always seen graffiti here and there (I live in the UK) from an early age but really started seeing some actual good ART and stencils when I go abroad to visit the rest of my family and cousins. I've always been interested in graffiti, more over any other art but I absolutely hate squiggles and disgusting tags; especially in inappropriate places, I once saw a tag near a Church. I've known about Bansky for at least 6 years now and he is the only artist I'm willing to go out of my way to research and sometimes buy art from. I have a few T-Shirts and canvases and love them. I respect pieces that have taken time to do or in risky places but poor art might as well not be there. I'm also more than proud that we home the best street artist in the world; Banksy.

I love it i think its dope i wish i could do it

I like graffiti, personally I think it's a cool way to let people express theirselves.