Graffiti Artists: Silent Writers

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Recommended: Reasons for and against graffiti

Within the impoverished urban streets arose a youth culture captivated by infamy and self-pride. A youth culture virtually undistinguishable from members of modern society with a passion, setting them apart from the community. The members of this underground subculture could be your next-door neighbor, your son or daughter, or the contractor repairing your roof, yet you would have no idea that they strive to “bomb” objects and surfaces found in everyday life. It is the subtle differences that distinguish a graffiti artist from the average member of society, such as their, mindset, desires, speech and active lifestyle. The most predominant attribute of a graffiti artist is their mindset, for a graffitist is constantly surveying the streets in search for a new spot to “bomb” as well as examining the work of fellow writers. For instance, when a graffiti artist looks at an empty wall or a distant water tower they envision a canvas suitable for displaying their graffiti. A graffiti artist uses specific terminology when speaking to fellow writers as well as average people interested in this illegal art form. The use of terms, such as “tag,” “throw-up,” and “burner” are used to describe different styles of graffiti letters. In addition, the term “bomb” is used when a graffitist paints on numerous surfaces in a given area. When analyzing the desires of a graffitist, they explain the desire to go “all-city.” The term “all-city” describes a writers’ aspiration to display his graffiti throughout the entire city. The lifestyle of a graffiti artist tends to be more active than that of an average person, for graffitist go “bombing” during late hours of the night. The reason for these late-night paint excursions is to avoid cont... ... middle of paper ... ...Social Science Journals, ProQuest. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. Chang, Jeff. "The Writing on the Wall: Why are graffiti and vandalism bad words in the left? " Colorlines 31 Jul 2002: ProQuest Social Science Journals, ProQuest. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. Infamy. Dir. Doug Pray. Perf. ENEM and CLAW. Image Entertainment, 2005. DVD. "More Pics from Philly." Web log post. Silent Wrytes. Apr.-May 2011. Web. May-June 2011. . Rahn, Janice. Painting without permission hip-hop graffiti subculture. Westport, Conn.: Bergin & Garvey, 2002. Print. Reichert, Jake. "A wilderness of walls: past and future of graffiti writing in Winnipeg." Canadian Dimension33.6 (1999): 20-26. Alternative Press Index. EBSCO. Web. 22 Apr. 2011. Wright, Kai. "Paint Wars. (Youth)." City Limits 1 Jan. 2003. Gale. Web. 22 Apr. 2011.

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