Graffiti is this wild mix of art and rebellion, expression and destruction, privilege and struggle, and I’m here to give you some real talk on what I’ve learned over the years being hands-on with graffiti and the people who want to learn it.
Misconceptions: Graffiti is Art or Vandalism
People love to put graffiti in a box. For so many people, it’s either art or vandalism. But why not both? When a mural pops up that turns a wall into something beautiful, that’s art. It may not be city or state sanctioned art, but it’s still an expression of life. That doesn’t mean that when someone hits up a spot illegally, it’s not vandalism. But vandalism almost feels like too harsh a word in some cases where graffiti becomes a staple of the community because of how much it brings (visually) to the story of a place.
Graffiti isn’t usually about breaking rules or ruining property. It’s more about expression. For many, it’s the only way to make their voice heard, and to put their name and their story somewhere the world can see it. And when you look at how some artists have taken that energy and turned it into muralism or even a professional career, it’s clear graffiti can lead to positive change. But again, it all depends on how it’s done. Because there are few rules and regulations, what’s to keep someone from portraying their truth in a way that is actually damaging to the community? There’s always a balance—and graffiti can be both art and vandalism in the public sphere.
Hard Truths: Illegal Graffiti Vs. the Alternative
Graffiti isn’t the most celebrated pastime, but I think that we can consider it a healthier outlet than some of the alternatives that exist for artistic community members with nowhere to go. Tagging a wall is a better alternative than falling into gang life, theft, or worse. Graffiti can give folks a sense of purpose, identity, and community that might otherwise be missing, and if the resources in a community don’t exist to give someone an outlet, it becomes unsurprising that they find their own canvases and opportunities.
Another reality is the privilege involved in making art. Being able to buy paint, get studio time, or attend art school is not something everyone has. Street graffiti removes those barriers. It's raw, accessible, and kind of democratic in a way. But that comes with consequences, especially for property owners who see their walls defaced, and there are times when graffiti has certainly impacted businesses, tourism, and otherwise.
The biggest tension I’ve noticed is that sometimes graffiti helps the artist more than it helps the property owner. It might be “bad” for the building, but “good” for the person expressing themselves. Obviously the rights go to the person who owns the property, but even in those cases, I would argue that a larger conversation needs to be had about accessibility to art, especially for those with interests in non-traditional fields like graffiti art.
What I’ve Learned: Graffiti is a Spectrum
One thing that blew my mind is how diverse the graffiti community really is. Graff Tours has had the pleasure of working with so many people. This art is multicultural, multiracial, and crosses class lines. People get into graffiti for all kinds of reasons. Some want to be more the rebel type, some want to express themselves artistically, and others want to be part of a culture, or build their own family around their art.
Also, so many graffiti artists are capable of growing successful careers in art. They take the skills, the style, and the passion and build legit businesses, galleries, and brands.
Another simple truth: graffiti is fun! It’s a blast to paint, plan, and share your work with others. It’s not just spray paint on a wall. It’s a complicated, messy, sometimes controversial art form that lives in the gray area between defiance and creativity. The more time I spend learning about it, teaching it, and living with it, the more I respect the people who make it, and the stories they tell by putting those tags on the wall.
Artist Credit: Cernesto | Photo Credit: Gabe Schoenberg
Additional Classes by Graff Tours
Brooklyn Graffiti Art Date Night