Graffiti paintings

 

Why buy a graffiti painting? 

A contemporary history of graffiti art

While graffiti art gained recognition during the mid-20th century, its origins trace back to ancient times. The famous cave paintings of Lascaux show that this form of expression has deep roots, with early humans marking walls to leave messages for others.

Modern graffiti took off in the 1970s and 1980s when artists like Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Andy Warhol began creating art in public spaces, turning their surroundings into open galleries.

The first wave of urban art graffiti emerged in the late 20th century in the United States, specifically New York City. Anonymous artists painted their names or symbols on walls, subway cars, and throughout public spaces. As protests against issues like the Vietnam War and racial inequality grew in the 1960s, graffiti became a powerful tool for political and social commentary.


Over time, graffiti and street art faced criticism but also spread beyond American borders. As repression against graffiti increased, some artists moved to canvas, eventually bringing graffiti into galleries and exhibitions. Today, graffiti is widely recognized as valuable urban art, with many artists incorporating elements of pop and street culture into their work.


 

Banksy and the evolution of graffiti art

How is graffiti created?