A crisp crackle echoes through the air. A spray paint lid pops off. With a shake, rattle and hiss, an artist prepares to paint city walls with vibrant murals and eye-catching signs.
Over the course of decades and through the explosive work of thousands of artists, street art has undergone a transformative arc. Though the public initially perceived it in a negative light, street art has evolved into a recognized art form that is featured in respected galleries across the globe. As street art continues to expand, it has evolved into a means of activism, providing artists with a voice to draw attention to crucial societal issues.
In the 1960s, street art found its roots in tagging — a type of graffiti that involves writing an artist’s signature. With the help of leading figures like Darryl McCray, commonly known as Cornbread, tagging became a form of self-expression to exercise creativity and individuality. Cornbread is widely considered one of the first graffiti artists, known for his distinct style that defied the traditional association of tagging with gang activity. His work as a street artist began in 1967, when he declared his love for a classmate by tagging “Cornbread Loves Cynthia” across the path he took on his way home. Years later, Cornbread continued to pull impressive stunts, such as tagging a Jackson 5 jet and an elephant belonging to the Philadelphia Zoo. His career of daring feats undoubtedly cemented him as a true pioneer of street art.
From the 1970s to the late 1980s, street art exploded into a global phenomenon. The incorporation of cartoons, imagery and scenery brought newfound media attention and welcomed in a flourishing era of artists. Keith Haring, a trailblazer of this time period, used his work to raise public support and awareness regarding the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome epidemic, drug use, LGBTQ+ advocacy and more. Known for utilizing bold colors and simple outlines, Haring’s art style drew more attention to previously intimidating topics.
Alongside Haring, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat used a variety of signature motifs to share his experiences. Through both his individual and collaborative work, Basquiat challenged western notions of race and power with his groundbreaking contributions to street art. His piece “Irony of Negro Policeman” commented on African Americans within the police force and their experience living in a position of both oppression and power. Though the art form still faced claims of illegitimacy, Basquiat and Haring helped to bring street art into museums and other uncharted territory.
The next 20 years saw a new wave of artists exploring street art as a medium. In particular, anonymous street artist Banksy made unprecedented moves with his work. Building on the legacy set by his predecessors, he blended stencil art with societal commentary surrounding subjects like poverty, government and war. Famous works of his include “The Flower Thrower,” “Rat in a Clock Face” and “Three Monkeys”— though few rival the recognition received for his piece “Balloon Girl.” This iconic piece by Banksy depicts a stenciled young girl reaching out to a heart-shaped red balloon. Simple yet evocative, the ambiguity of the girl’s expression has led to varying interpretations of the work. In 2018, the painted form was shredded in a live auction before being sold for $25.4 million. This shocking move took the art world by storm, dominating global headlines and challenging traditional ideas of value in the art market.
Despite the largely positive modern outlook on street art, some critics of street art consider it vandalism or a defacing of public property — although the lines between graffiti and street art are blurred, there remain a few key distinctions that must be outlined. When differentiating the two, both legal and interpretive criteria must be considered. While graffiti is primarily done illegally, street art is often done with permission from governing bodies and in collaboration with other artists. Street artists may even be hired and instructed to adhere to legal requirements. Furthermore, graffiti and street art differ in the intention of the artist. Street art is most commonly created with a specific audience and message in mind, whereas graffiti is typically performed without approval, rebelling against typical ideas of ownership.
Today, the street art space continues to rapidly grow and evolve. Current-day projects work to unite groups by championing specific causes and continuing to raise awareness. The Giant Storybook Project, for example, is a community-based project in Thailand that involves artists collaborating to paint expansive storybook murals in public areas. Le M.U.R. — Modular, Urban, Reactive — in Paris, France is a public art space that provides opportunities to showcase local urban artwork.
With artists continuing to break boundaries, there is no limit to how far a message may reach. Generations of street artists have built legacies on bettering the lives of the people around them, reshaping societal norms and drawing attention to often neglected issues. Collectively recognizing the cultural impact of street art sheds light on key conversations surrounding politics and other prevalent topics. To truly grasp its importance, one need only look at the words of legend Banksy himself —
