Writings on the Wall

Street art has a purpose in our society by giving artists a way to express themselves and should be recognized as a legitimate art form since it’s on display for the public to see. Street art is a form of graffiti viewed as a visual art that is placed on public buildings and walls without permission. Street art is frowned upon because it uses an unconventional canvas and medium. Although street art is not allowed by law, it’s growing in popularity for street artists to be commissioned for their talents by major companies. Some cities are starting to provide legal areas where street art is permitted. The view that the public has on street art is widely influenced by the purpose of the art. Many street artists, like Banksy, just want their pieces to be seen and usually have no hostile intentions towards the property owner. Many of the large pieces of artwork are planned and the artists use their own style to create them using creative components. These artists are even making it into the corporate world.

Street artists are making the transition to commissioned artists, and it’s becoming more common for major corporations to seek out street artists to work for them. For instance, Smirnoff, Coca-Cola, MTV, and even Microsoft hire street artists for advertising campaigns (Art Career Project website). The corporations that are hiring these artists know that this particular form of advertising attracts younger shoppers. Street artists like this because it gives them the opportunity to pursue a career in something they’re passionate about.

Advertising isn’t the only way street artists get paid for their artistic talents, city officials and building owners are also commissioning them. Their talents are being used to create larg...

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...lective in Brooklyn took a lot of planning and a long time to create. Murals adds a splash of color to otherwise boring spaces.

In conclusion, people have been painting on walls beginning with cave men and since it’s discovery, people have found beauty in it. In the 1970s, wall-writing received a bad name due to the fact that it was used to deface public areas. It would be shameful if people viewed the typical “Riley was here” on bathroom walls and gang-related scribbles as this era’s street art. Luckily, street art is evolving into more than just vandalism. Street artists are being paid for their work by cities and corporations and are starting to display their art in galleries. They even sell their art on small canvases to individuals who appreciate this form of art and want to have it in their homes. Street art is more than just painting on a wall, it’s art.