What Defines Art?

Is graffiti art? I personally believe that graffiti is a form of art, despite its location. According to Oxford Language the definition of art is “The expression or application of human creative skills and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting…” and according to Wikipedia the definition of graffiti is “…writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface…” If we use creative thinking with these two definitions we could get something that sounds like, art is applying your creative skills on something visually, and graffiti is writing or drawing, which is considered a form of art, onto a surface, which is visually expressing your creativity. I say they go hand in hand, and what can differ between the two is not getting permission. If you had a blank wall somewhere in your life and you gratified it with permission it would be considered art and not vandalism, but without permission you would be vandalizing property and either way it is art, with or without permission.

Graffiti isn’t just one thing in one place it “can occur in almost any community, big or small.” (Is Graffiti Art?) A location wont typically stop graffiti, nor should it. If we think about it, graffiti is art everywhere so to due away with someones creation shouldn’t be step one. We could start with embracing the art of it, the beauty of not just having a white or brick wall, but features, colors, creativity, the world would be calmer and more aware. Whether your community size people express how they feel in more ways then one, some read, some talk, some listen, some sleep, some create art for the world to see and that’s how they get themselves out there. It takes a lot of commitment and talent for an artist to create graffiti.

For a while I have never thought of graffiti being in art shows but is stated that “…after years of gaining recognition by the art community, graffiti art has been shown in various galleries in New York and London…” (Graffiti as Art) If graffiti wasn’t art than why would we invite these creations in art shows? This quote shows how the art community has recognized and excepted graffiti as art by inviting them to present their work abroad.

Graffiti is a form of art whether its illegal or not, it is mainly defined based off of being illegal. Just because graffiti is illegal that doesn’t defeat its purpose, a location of your creativity shouldn’t make your product less, art is still art whether it is being applied on paper, canvas, a wall, etc.

“Grafitti Art” by cheryljns is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.

“Shepard Fairey” by Scott Beale is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.