Full Exhibit THESIS

Dating back to prehistoric times, wall writing has been a way for humans to communicate with each other and to future generations. Hieroglyphics, which can be viewed as an early form of graffiti, have evolved into stone inscriptions on grave sites and eventually to the spray-painted that are seen today. Graffiti is a form of communication that reaches beyond any language to tell a story. It allows us to raise awareness for political issues and to begin social movements through art. Graffiti has given many people a voice to communicate messages that may otherwise have been silenced. Left Top Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: Prehistoric Drawings in the Magura Cave in Bulgaria, Courtesy of NK Photography; Photo 2: Cave in Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico; Photo 3: Kilroy was HERE, Courtesy of Smithsonian; Photo 4: Kilroy Was Here at WWII Memorial, Courtesy of Almany Left Top Panel Text

FROM CAVE ART TO WWII

Humans have used walls to communicate since the dawn of mankind. People love to tell stories through art and leave behind records of their lives. Over the years, humans have written on walls and other objects to leave different kinds of messages.

“It begins almost when man did, when he was the Paleolithic Homo sapiens, living in a cave… There is plenty of indication that man has been trying to put it, if not in writing then certainly in drawing, since prehistoric days. To judge by available evidence, he was almost from his very beginnings a doodler and, therefore, a graffitist.” Robert Reisner Graffiti: Two Thousand Years of Wall Writing Left Top Panel Text “Man is a natural communicator. A thought occurs to someone suddenly, or something is experienced during the day, and there is a compulsion to express it, if not to another person, then to whatever is close at hand: paper, wall, rock, tree, door. Graffiti, then, are little insights, little peepholes into the minds of individuals who are spokesmen not only for themselves but for others like them.” Robert Reisner Graffiti: Two Thousand Years of Wall Writing

During WWII, graffiti evolved significantly from the prehistoric inscriptions that it had once been. American soldiers frequently left graffiti that they called Kilroy in the different places that they went as a way to communicate with with the soldiers who would later occupy the same spaces.

“The Kilroy graffiti was comforting and a little bit rebellious, because they were told not to, but it spread all over the world. No matter how bad it got crawling out of that foxhole everyday, when they found a Kilroy they’d know someone was there before and survived. It was so important to every GI.” Pat Tiller Atlas Obscura, Kilroy Monument Left Center Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: Taki183, Manhattan, Courtesy of GettyImages; Photo 2: Cornbread, Courtesy of GettyImages; Photo 3: Hosier Lane in Central Melbourne, Courtesy of The Guardian; Photo 4: Bus 166 Graffiti Art, L.A., Courtesy of Infamy Art Left Center Panel Text I WAS HERE

Contemporary graffiti began in the 1960s when artists called taggers set out to leave their mark on the world. Taggers such as Cornbread, Taki 183, and Julio 204 started signing their names in paint all over various cities.

“Early graffiti artists were commonly called ‘writers’ or ‘taggers’ (individuals who write simple ‘tags,’ or their stylized signatures, with the goal of tagging as many locations as possible.) Indeed, the fundamental underlying principle of graffiti practice was the intention to ‘get up,’ to have one's work seen by as many people as possible, in as many places as possible.” The Art Story Street and Graffiti Art Left Center Panel Text

“However, widely practised though it is, and more widely noticed than ever, graffiti remains the twilight means of communication, a dialogue between the anonymous individual and the world.” Robert Reisner Graffiti: Two Thousand Years of Wall Writing

In a similar fashion to the prehistoric man, these taggers felt the need to be remembered. The use of contemporary graffiti was their own way to feel recognized. Left Bottom Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: I was Here- Classic L’Atlas, Courtesy of Wooster Collection; Photo 2: Sir Kub, City of L.A., Courtesy of The Graffiti Machine; Photo 3: KAP Tag in Queens, Courtesy of TPA Photography Left Bottom Panel Text

“If you’ve ever walked down the street, seen a name, and wondered what that marking meant, I’ll tell you: It means somebody is telling you a story about who they are and what they are prepared to do to make you aware of it. Every time a name is written, a story gets told. It's a short story: ‘I was here.’” Stephen Powers The Art of Getting Over: Graffiti at the Millenium

“No one person better illustrates this than KAP. He was a writer who constructed his own myth. He called himself “the Bicentennial Kid,” and in 1976 set out on a course to ensure his name would be remembered. He wrote on everything, but it was a print on the Liberty Bell two weeks before the big Fourth of July celebration that ensured his immortality. Mayor Rizzo personally offered to break his fingers, which, as any Philly writer will tell you, was a gold-medal moment. KAP died of leukemia in November of that year. But then he’s still here, isn’t he?” Stephen Powers The Art of Getting Over: Graffiti at the Millenium Center Top Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: Always With Us, Courtesy of Sir Kub; Photo 2: Secret, Courtesy of GettyImages; Photo 3: Graffitied Subway in 1984, Courtesy of ATI Center Top Panel Text

VANDALISM OR ART?

In the 1980s, graffiti began to be classified as vandalism by local authorities. Cleaning crews hired to eradicate graffiti were soon all over cities attempting to paint over the messes.

“Soon after graffiti began appearing on city surfaces, subway cars and trains became major targets for 's early graffiti writers and taggers, as these vehicles traveled great distances, allowing the writer's name to be seen by a wider audience.” The Art Story Street and Graffiti Art

“Having scribbles freely applied on public property with apparently no punishment seemed to contribute to the overall sense of lawlessness that plagued the metropolis in this period.” Eli Anapur Wide Walls Center Center Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: South Ferry Bound 1 Train, 1981, Courtesy of Historic Pictures; Photo 2: New York Subway, 1980, Courtesy of GettyImages; Photo 3: Sir Kub’s Graffitied Train, Courtesy of Sir Kub Center Center Panel Text

“In 1984, the MTA launched its Clean Car Program, which involved a five-year plan to completely eliminate graffiti on subway cars, operating on the principle that a graffiti-covered subway car could not be put into service until all the graffiti on it had been cleaned off… However graffiti was anything but eradicated. In the past few decades, this practice has spread around the world, often maintaining elements of the American wildstyle.” The Art Story Street and Graffiti Art

Making graffiti illegal only added to the adrenaline of participating in what was now seen as an act of rebellion. Receiving attention for their art became more of an achievement as these artists fought against the law. Center Center Panel Text

“It was fun but no one legitimately wants to be wanted by the law unless you’re some kind of sociopath. But you walk that line in graffiti because you want as many people as possible to see it.” Mike Monack “MOOK” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

“Graffiti on subway cars began as crude, simple tags, but as tagging became increasingly popular, writers had to find new ways to make their names stand out… It did not take long for the crude tags to grow in size, and to develop into artistic, colorful pieces that took up the length of entire subway cars.” The Art Story Street and Graffiti Art Center Bottom Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: West Bank Guard, Courtesy of GettyImages; Photo 2: ’s Napalm Child 2004, Courtesy of GettyImages; Photo 3: Who Cheated?, Courtesy of Banksy; Photo 4: Under the Rug, Courtesy of Banksy; Photo 5: A Child’s Lost Hope, Courtesy of Banksy Center Bottom Panel Text

STREET ART EMERGED

In the early 90s, a new form of wall art called was born. The focus of street art is to communicate messages through painted images. An anonymous artist from England, named Banksy, used street art as a way to create political statements.

“Though Banksy’s identity was well guarded, he came to notice as a freehand graffiti artist in 1993. Using stencils since 2000 to enhance his speed, he developed a distinctive iconography of highly recognizable images, such as rats and policemen, that communicated his antiauthoritarian message. With wry wit and stealth, Banksy merged graffiti art with installation and performance.” Debra N. Mancoff Britannica Center Bottom Panel Text

“Arguably the most controversial street artist in the world, the works of Banksy have become a subculture in their own right. Banksy’s political statements and disruptive vision have impacted cities across the globe at vital moments in recent history, provoking alternative viewpoints and encouraging revolution in the art world.” The Art Story Street and Graffiti Art

“Banksy used his dark humour and political views to make statements on current conflicts, discussions and social events. His work of political commentary can be found throughout the whole world, on streets, walls and bridges.” Petra van de Gevel Debat

Banksy used his street art to make political and social statements, and to communicate to people beyond who he would otherwise be able to reach.

“A wall is a very big weapon. It’s one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.” Banksy, Interview 2004

“Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don't come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they're having a piss.” Banksy, Wall and Piece Center Bottom Panel Text

“A wall is a very big weapon. It’s one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.” Banksy, Interview 2004

“Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing. And even if you don't come up with a picture to cure world poverty you can make someone smile while they're having a piss.” Banksy, Wall and Piece Right Top Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: Season’s Greetings, Courtesy of Banksy; Photo 2: I Want Change, Courtesy of Banksy; Photo 3: Obama’s HOPE Campaign Poster, Courtesy of GettyImages, Photo 4: Shepard Fairley with his Obama HOPE Poster, Courtesy of the L.A. Times Right Top Panel Text

GRAFFITI AROUND THE GLOBE

To this day, graffiti writers and street artists follow in Banksy’s footsteps as they continue to use art to communicate their political and social views to the world.

“Occupying public space and asserting the power of the individual, every tag, throw-up, piece, statement or other form of graffiti is a true demonstration of individual expression. Emily Colucci, Occupying the Walls: Graffiti As Political Protest Right Top Panel Text

“Graffiti and street art have always had a history of being influenced by political and social issues; a lot of people who may have felt powerless took this art form and turned it into a form of anonymous political protest. Having this ability is extremely powerful, as it can make the artist feel heard and allow them to challenge society’s thinking patterns, which could lead to change.” The Ontarian Ebrasing Graffiti as a Form of Art and Communication

During the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election, a street artist painted the “Barack Obama Hope Poster,” a portrait that became iconic for the Obama campaign.

“Fairey’s Barack Obama “Hope” poster became the iconic campaign image for the first African American president of the United States. Early in 2008, Fairey produced his first Obama portrait, with a stenciled face, visionary upward glance, and the caption ‘Hope.’” Smithsonian Institute, Now on View: Portrait of Barack Obama Right Top Panel Text

“The campaign sold 50,000 official posters; a San Francisco streetwear company produced T-shirts; and a free downloadable version generated countless repetitions. Although the reproductions rarely convey the elegant surface patterning seen in this original collage, they forged an unprecedented and powerful icon for Obama’s historic campaign.” Smithsonian Institute, Now on View: Portrait of Barack Obama Right Center Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: Children Helping Clean Up the Streets, Courtesy of Atlanta Press; Photo 2: We Are In This Together, Courtesy of GettyImages; Photo 3: C.U.T.S. Crew , Courtesy of Community Art Machine Right Center Panel Text

In 2015, a new Graffiti Crew called the C.U.T.S (Clean Up The Streets) Crew emerged. The goal for this new crew was to use their art to inspire people to take care of the world around them.

“We decided to focus on writing the motivational message to ‘Clean Up the Streets’ and then go on to clean up the area that we were painting.” Bus 166, Creator of the C.U.T.S. Crew, Personal Interview

“We did a mural to Clean Up the Streets on a corner across from an elementary school. One of the teachers reached out to us, telling us how he was really inspired by our message. What he ended up doing was dedicating the first 15 minutes of his class to having his students go out and pick up trash and teach them how to take care of the area around them.” Bus 166, Creator of the C.U.T.S. Crew, Personal Interview Right Bottom Panel Photo

Source Credit Text: Photo 1: I Can’t Breathe, Courtesy of EMEIREETHINKER; Photo 2: Super Nurse! by FAKE, Courtesy of The Conversation Photography; Photo 3: Domestic Violence Mural painted in Greece, Courtesy of GettyImages; Photo 4: Save Our Earth by Indiano, Courtesy of Art by Dens; Photo 5: Life is Beautiful, Courtesy of Flickr Right Bottom Panel Text

Today, amidst the COVID-19 lockdowns, many individuals have taken to the walls to communicate messages regarding problems arising from the pandemic response, such as domestic violence. Artists have also utilized graffiti to communicate positive messages of hope, gratitude, and even humor, during an unprecedented time.

“Street artists all over the world have ventured out into quiet streets and left behind vibrant, thought-provoking, amusing commentary on the crisis. Many echo the same message as Banksy, that it’s the nurses and front-line healthcare workers that are the real heroes in this crisis. This can be seen in the new work of Amsterdam-based street artist FAKE, whose mural “Super Nurse!” in the lead image shows a nurse wearing a face mask emblazoned with the Superman logo.” Beth Daley Coronavirus Murals: Inside the World of Pandemic-Inspired Street Art Right Bottom Panel Text

“Sixteen-year-old Greek graffiti artist S.F. painted a graffito on the roof of a building in Athens, Greece on April 21, depicting a woman with injuries on her face and her finger over her lips, inspired by the increase in cases of domestic violence amid a lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.” GettyImages Graffiti Against Domestic Violence

Graffiti has given individuals a voice to communicate beyond any language barrier and to raise awareness to any issues or thoughts that they might have. Graffiti allows those who utilize it a platform to share their views or simply communicate with the world around them.

“The more we examine the phenomenon of graffiti the more we realize that many kinds of people write on walls. There are graffitists who want to get involved with world problems and whose voices cannot be heard except on the mute wall.” Robert Reisner Graffiti: Two Thousand Years of Wall Writing : Communication Through Art

Maci Porter Senior Individual Exhibit Process Paper Word Count: 494 Student Composed Word Count: 496 While researching for a topic, I discovered the idea of Graffiti as a primal form of communication. I have always been fascinated by the street art murals painted here in my hometown, Silver City, and I wanted to learn more about the history of Graffiti. The more I researched the more I fell in love with not only the art but also the story of each artist. I have found that Graffiti really is a form of communication that gives these artists a voice to be heard when nothing else could.

Being very new to graffiti culture, I began my research by simple internet searches to understand the language and ideals of Wall Writing. Soon after I read multiple books such as

Graffiti: 2000 years of Wall Writing, The Art of Getting Over: Graffiti in the Millenium, and

Banksy: Wall and Piece. These books helped me gain a clear understanding of the direction I wanted to go with Graffiti dating back to prehistoric wall paintings. Through further research I discovered two retired graffiti writers that now painted in a crew that’s aim was to clean up the streets for legal art. I was able to interview one of them on his view of graffiti culture and how it has shaped his life. To understand both sides of Graffiti, I interviewed the Mayor of El Paso’s

Anti-Graffiti Program on their views of how graffiti has affected their city. These interviews gave me perspectives to understand as I went into my project.

People travel all around the world to see and take pictures of Graffiti. I felt that an

Exhibit would best encompass the nature of Graffiti as a writing on a wall and present it in the best possible form. I was able to use the Exhibit board as a type of wall to show these Graffiti images and create the board to be an artistic piece itself.

Since prehistoric times, man has been fixated by the idea of leaving their history behind.

Up till modern times, people have used wall writing as an innate form of communication. From journaling our lives and marking gravestones to spray painting a wall, has been a part of the human need to be remembered and seen. Graffiti has given people the power to achieve that primal need. Annotated Bibliography

Primary

Austin, Joe. Taking the Train: How Graffiti Art Became an Urban Crisis in New York City. Columbia University Press, 2002.

In the 1970s through the 1980s, graffiti began to explode onto the subway walls which sparked a huge fight between the law and the artists that wanted to communicate their work with the world. Joe Austin lived through this time and documented what Graffiti was like during the 1970s. I was able to use this book to learn about the beginnings of Contemporary Graffiti.

Banksy. Banksy: Wall and Piece. Century, 2005.

Banksy, an anonymous british graffiti artist, was one of the most influential Street Artists of his time and still to this day continues to make outstanding pieces that bring people from all over the world to see. His book Banksy: Wall and Piece tells his story first hand in how he changed the way the world saw Graffiti and communication through art. I was able to use this as a main reference for quotes and inspiration for my project.

Banksy. “Banksy Rare Interview from '95.” YouTube, 1995, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yW5rzWYLwg4. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

This rare interview from 1995 shows Banksy with a mask on but is one of the few in person interviews. Banksy is an anonymous Street Artist who specialises in communication through his art. This video was extremely helpful with my background research on his personal life. Banksy. “Rare Interview With Banksy From Early 2000.” YouTube, 18 Apr. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIaEiccf5eY. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

Banksy is an anonymous Street Artist that is known for his startling political and social messages in his art. This interview features Banksy. I was able to use this interview for a further understanding of who Bansky was and for quotes on my exhibit.

Colombini, Alain. “The Duality of Graffiti: Is It Vandalism or Art?” CeROArt. Conservation, Exposition, Restauration D'Objets D'Art, Association CeROArt Asbl, 2 Dec. 2018, journals.openedition.org/ceroart/5745.

Graffiti is often classified as vandalism, because of the illegality of it in most places, but it is also art. Street Artists have a certain talent to take simple paints and create a story that catches the eye of anyone passing. This website discusses Alain Colombini’s personal opinion on whether Graffiti is art or vandalism and was helpful in my research.

Dahan , Shai. “The Language Of Street Art: Shai Dahan at TEDxGöteborg.” Ted Talk . TedTalk, 18 Nov. 2012, Göteborg, , www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1ncTnzmoBE.

Shai Dahan is a Graffiti Writer that uses his art as his own form of language. Through his travels while painting around the world, Dahan found that he could communicate to all different languages and cultures through his art. He saw how just one painting sparked interest in almost every person that passed by. Hewas able to share his message with every person regardless of the language they spoke. I was able to use this video to help me decide what direction I wanted to go with my topic. Dawson, Sophia. “Know Your Rights .” Murals with a Message , Brooklyn, New York , weburbanist.com/2017/05/22/murals-with-a-message-23-works-of-statement-making-stre et-art/.

Sophia Dawson’s mural addresses important social issues of human rights through her striking art. She communicates to everyone who sees about the importance of her ideas and stance. Through her Street Art, Dawson is able to reach all different kinds of people and understand what she is saying with her painting. I was able to use her mural in my exhibit to show the importance of Graffiti in communication.

Ferro, Shaunacy. “Can Graffiti Be Good For Cities?” Fast Company, Fast Company, 21 Aug. 2018, www.fastcompany.com/3022524/can-graffiti-be-good-for-cities.

There is still a huge debate among people on whether Graffiti is considered vandalism or art. Murals painted by various artists are now tourist destinations from around the world. They bring all different people to see the artwork of these street artists to different cities. The article further discusses whether Graffiti is really always vandalism and helped me get a better understanding of the views on the subject.

Gonzalez, David. “Graffiti Is Back in Virus-Worn New York.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 July 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/07/08/nyregion/graffiti-nyc.html.

The New York Times wrote an article on the recent Grafiti uprise in New York City with the coronavirus lockdown. Many new Street Artists have emerged with the pandemic locking everything down and leaving blank canvases all over the city. The article talks about how this Graffiti has been a symbol of these weird times. Grigas, Victor. Graffiti along Bloomingdale Trail, Chicago 2015. Chicago , 16 Aug. 2015. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Graffiti_along_the_Bloomingdale_trail,_Chica go_2015-57.jpg

In Chicago on Bloomingdale Trail there are Street Art murals painted all over the walls. Here is one of the most known places for their amazing art. I was able to use this in my project to showcase some examples of the impact of Graffiti on communities.

ITV News, and Banksy. “Extremely Rare Banksy Interview from 2003 Unearthed.” YouTube, 4 July 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbGs1xqsAyo. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

In 2003, Banksy painted on animals to create a statement and in this interview we can see those cows. Banksy did not give many interviews this year but this particular interview has helped me to understand what he was trying to portray that year with his art and use it in my exhibit.

Jo Marchant, Justin Mott. “A Journey to the Oldest Cave Paintings in the World.” Smithsonian.com, Smithsonian Institution, 1 Jan. 2016, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/journey-oldest-cave-paintings-world-180957685/.

Justin Mott and Jo Marchant, two Smithsonian journalists, were able to visit one of the oldest cave paintings in the world in Indonesia. They share their findings in this article and show pictures of this prehistoric Graffiti Wall Writing. I was able to use this article as a source of quotes and images for my project. Kidd, Steve. Please No More War, Peace . Arromanches, Normandy France, 2 July 2019, www.alamy.com/please-no-more-war-love-a-wall-painting-in-arromanches-normandy-fra nce-image260446387.html.

Street Art is often used as a way to communicate political ideas and views. In this painting there are two little girls writing the words “Please No More War, Love”. The message has been communicated to hundreds, maybe thousands of people that have seen it. Graffiti can communicate to people in ways nothing else can. I was able to use this image as a visual addition to my project.

NPR, and Banksy . “Banksy - Interview at NPR All Things Considered (March 24, 2005).” YouTube , 17 Dec. 2019, www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYDno8W1f8s. Accessed 21 Oct. 2020.

Banksy, an anonymous British Street Artist, used to sneak into major museums and hang his artwork before big events to catch different people’s attention to his messages. In this interview, Banksy talks about why he does this and how he wants to share his messages. I was able to use this as quotes in my project.

Mattanza, Alessandra, et al. Street Art: Famous Artists Talk about Their Vision. WS White Star Publishers, a Trademark of White Star S.r.l., 2017.

20 of the most renowned street artists were interviewed to form this book of how art has moved from museums to the streets to address political and social issues. The artists tell of their stories of how they found their own form of communication through their art to express their stance on these issues. The book was extremely helpful with understanding the artist’s point of view on their Graffiti. Pejac. “The World Going Down the Drain .” Murals with a Message, Santander, Spain, weburbanist.com/2017/05/22/murals-with-a-message-23-works-of-statement-making-stre et-art/.

Pejac’s mural is of the world falling down a drain. Even if a person doesn’t speak the same language as Pejac, they can still see the message that he is communicating to us. These graffiti murals allow the painter to speak to all different people and get the same message across. His mural allowed me to add to my exhibit visually.

Porter, Maci, and Bus166. “Interview with Former Graffiti Writer Bus166.'' 26 Jan. 2021.

Former Graffiti Writer, Bus166, is an L.A. based artist that now runs his own podcast on Graffiti Culture and the impact it has on our world today. He is also the founder of a program called the C.U.T.S. (Clean Up The Streets) Crew that is a group of Graffiti Writers dedicated to cleaning up the environment around them. This group paints murals with uplifting messages to encourage people to take care of their surroundings and they then go on to clean up the area. I was able to personally interview Bus166 on January 26 of this year and from this interview I gained knowledge of the Graffiti community as a whole and how it impacts today.

Porter, Maci, and Rene Barraza. “Interview with the Mayor of El Paso's Graffiti Program.” 25 Jan. 2021.

El Paso has a huge gang-related Graffiti problem. The Mayor of El Paso designated Rene Barraza to control the program. I was able to interview Mr. Barraza on January 25 of this year to ask him how they handle Graffiti in their area. I was able to learn from this interview how they go about cleaning up and how they go about preventing it. This interview was very helpful in getting another side of how Graffiti affects communities. TEDxTalks. “Graffiti: Art or Vandalism? Street Art in School & Communities: Diego Gonzalez: TEDxCountyLineRoad.” YouTube, 21 Nov. 2015, youtu.be/y4GpSEyJZjE.

Graffiti can be considered vandalism or art depending on who is looking at it. Diego Gonzalez, a former graffiti artist, spoke at a TED convention on his view of graffiti and vandalism. Gonzalez has been able to create graffiti murals in public schools to communicate with children on the importance of their lives and their futures. This TED Talk allowed me to have a perspective on graffiti from Gonzalez’s point of view for my project.

“TEDx Street Art - TED - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, 2014, artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/tedx-street-art/2gIySY67eyFwKQ.

In a TED Talk convention, different street artists tell their story and how they have come to be the artist that they are. Many of them use their art as a form of communication for everyone who sees their work to think more about the topic presented in their art. These TED Talks were super important in the inspiration of what information my project should cover. Secondary

Alessandra August, and Tammy October 12. “Gallery: Banksy's Iconic Street Art.” Creative Resistance, 24 Feb. 2014, creativeresistance.org/gallery-banksys-iconic-street-art/.

Since the 1990s a Street Artist named Bansky has been painting iconic stencils that show a dark humor and communicates his political stances through this art. Bansky has led the way for so many other street artists to communicate with the public what they want to be heard. I was able to use these photos from this website of Bansky’s work for my project as a visual aid to learning about Bansky.

Anirudh, et al. “Anirudh.” Learnodo Newtonic, 15 July 2019, learnodo-newtonic.com/famous-graffiti-art.

These top 10 murals of Street Artists combine political stances with pure talent to create the beautiful art pieces and communicate the artists’ thoughts with the public. I was able to use some of these images of the website on my board to show different artrist’s paintings.

The Art Story . “Street and Graffiti Art - Concepts & Styles.” The Art Story, 2020, www.theartstory.org/movement/street-art/history-and-concepts/#:~:text=Beginnings%20o f%20Contemporary%20Graffiti%20in,of%20the%20aerosol%20spray%20can.

Back in WWII, American soldiers were known to leave a little Graffiti message in random places that they visited. A tiny drawing of a bald man looking over a wall was drawn all over the world with the words inscribed “Killroy was Here” above it. This was used as a message of hope to many people to know that they weren’t alone during the war. The tiny Kilroy graffiti communicated this message to many soldiers throughout the whole WWII and even today can be found in many places. Article by SA Rogers, filed under Street Art & Graffiti in the Art category. “Murals with a Message: 23 Works of Statement-Making Street Art.” WebUrbanist, 22 May 2017, weburbanist.com/2017/05/22/murals-with-a-message-23-works-of-statement-making-stre et-art/.

Graffiti can communicate messages like nothing else can because it uses art to get across to people. People are intrigued by art and will pay attention to the message within it. I was able to find 23 different paintings that communicate a message that needs to be heard. I was able to use some of these images in my exhibit.

Burns, Ceris. “Graffiti Is Bad for Business.” Ceris Burns International, Feb. 2013, www.cbipr.com/client-news/graffiti-is-bad-for-business/.

There is debate after debate on whether Graffiti is vandalism or art. While this form of artwork is illegal in most places, Graffiti and Street Art is considered to be an important part of city culture to many people. Ceris Burns International breaks down why graffiti is vandalism and why it is art in their article. I was able to use this information to determine my own option on Street Art for my project.

Christoforou, Marie. “10 Of the Most Famous Urban Art Murals.” Artsper Magazine, 6 Apr. 2020, blog.artsper.com/en/a-closer-look/10-of-the-most-famous-urban-art-murals/.

Graffiti comes in all shapes and sizes with all different messages and meanings. The top 10 images on this website portrayed many different artist’s forms of communication through their work. The images were useful in my project as visual aids. Danysz, agda. “From Style Writing to Art - Museum of Street Art - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, 2014, artsandculture.google.com/exhibit/from-style-writing-to-art/QRmI8Mw8.

Google took me through a presentation of the evolution of Graffiti with their website for the Arts and Culture. This presentation showed how street art has grown from artists simply tagging their names to true forms of art that communicates to all who see what they were thinking and feeling. I was able to use this source as inspiration for how I set up my board.

Dundon, Alice. “10 Iconic Murals on the Berlin Wall.” Culture Trip, The Culture Trip, 20 Nov. 2017, theculturetrip.com/europe/germany/articles/10-iconic-murals-on-the-berlin-wall/.

The Berlin wall was a former symbol of division that now holds over 105 murals from artists around the world. These paintings are symbols of the once divided Berlin and what people from around the world wanted to tell Berlin in that time. The images on the website were extremely useful in background research on Graffiti.

Editorial, Artsy, and Scott Indrisek. “Why These Are Banksy's 6 Most Iconic Works.” Artsy, 6 Sept. 2019, www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-6-iconic-works-banksy.

Bansky is one of the most recognized Street Artists with his extreme sense of humor combined with horror that gives his work the recognition it deserves. His art work stands out with its messages with his mostly black and white stencil art. These images were helpful to show some of Banksy’s most known art pieces. “El Paso County Sheriff 's Office.” El Paso County, 2021, www.epcounty.com/sheriff/forms/graffiti.asp.

El Paso has a Graffiti Program to put an end to illegal vandalism. I was able to use this website to get in contact with the head of their program, Rene Barraza, and interview him on the topic.

Global Streetart. “Our Mission: to Live in Painted Cities.” Global Streetart, 2018, globalstreetart.com/.

This is a website full of images of many different examples of important Street Art and explanation of each piece of art. I was able to use all of these images either for further information or present them on my exhibit.

Google . “Street Art with Google Art Project.” Google, Google, 2014, streetart.withgoogle.com/en/audio-tours.

Street Art has been a way for all different kinds of people to communicate with each other about things like political and social issues, or simply inspiration to make something of your life. This website gave me a better understanding of the impact that Street Art has on the world.

Google . “Street Art - Google Arts & Culture.” Google, Google, 2016, artsandculture.google.com/project/street-art.

Google created an entire website dedicated to discussing the importance of Street Art in the arts and culture of an area. It contains hundreds of images and articles discussing the importance of Graffiti. I was able to use this website for images and quotes in my project. The Guardian Si. “Simon Hattenstone Meets Britain's No 1 Graffiti Artist, Banksy.” Simon Hattenstone Meets Banksy , Guardian News and Media, 17 July 2003, www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2003/jul/17/art.artsfeatures.

Banksy, an anonymous Street Artist from Great Britain, has changed Graffiti as we know it. He is known for his unapologetic political pieces that make people think hard about his messages. He communicates through his art in a way that no artist before him had. Simon Hattenstone wrote this article on Banksy that was super helpful in my project for quotes and images.

Jhala, Kabir. “An AI Bot Has Figured out How to Draw like Banksy. And It's Uncanny.” The Art Newspaper, The Art Newspaper, 19 Oct. 2020, www.theartnewspaper.com/news/ai-generates-fake-banksy-algorithm.

Banky’s paintings have been a hot topic for collectors with newly released collections being released. A man named Matt Round created an AI robot that can paint exactly the way Banksy and called his invention GANksy. This article discusses the new paintings released by GANksy and the increase in love for Graffiti. This information was useful in relation to the connection to Graffiti’s continual impact today.

Journal, Fillmore County, et al. “Home.” Fillmore County Journal, 2 Dec. 2019, fillmorecountyjournal.com/journal-writing-project-is-graffiti-art-or-vandalism/.

This website discusses whether Graffiti is art or vandalism by breaking down the meaning of Graffiti and the impacts it has on the people around it. To this day there is still no answer on whether Graffiti is art or vandalism. I was able to use this information to build my project on. Kiley, Brendan. “How to Look at Graffiti.” The Seattle Times, The Seattle Times Company, 20 Aug. 2020, www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/visual-arts/how-to-look-at-graffiti/.

There are so many ways to interpret Graffiti and art in general. This article took me through the basics on how to analyze and read Graffiti. Brendan Kiley’s article was super helpful in my project to help me know how to understand what the Graffiti Writer is trying to communicate through their art.

Maric, Bohan. “What Is Street Art and How Can We Define It?” Widewalls, 29 Aug. 2014, www.widewalls.ch/magazine/defining-street-art.

Maric Bohan tries to defineStreet Art but found that this art is too diverse. She wrote about the evolution of Street Art from tagging and stencils to paste-up posters and spray paint pieces. I was able to use her “definition” of Street Art in my project to further explain my topic.

Powers, Stephen. The Art of Getting over: Graffiti at the Millennium. St. Martin's Griffin, 1999.

Ever since the explosion of graffiti artistry in the ‘70s, Street Art and Graffiti has been a way for the people that are usually overlooked in society to be seen and heard through their art. This book shows images of different pieces and the story behind each one. The images were very helpful in the visual aspect of my project this year. Randall, Kaylee, et al. “11 Iconic Graffiti Art Murals That Will Make You Stop.” TheCollector, 3 Sept. 2020, www.thecollector.com/graffiti-wall-art/.

Graffiti is made to catch someone's eye and to make them think about the message that is trying to be communicated. These 11 murals really make a person stop and think about what is hidden inside these amazing paintings. I was able to use these images on my project as visual aids.

Reisner, Robert. Graffiti: Two Thousand Years of Wall Writing. Frederick Muller, 1974.

Graffiti has been around for much longer than most people believe, dating back to cavemen writing on walls. This book took me through the last 2000 years of Graffiti and the impact it has had on society in general. I was able to use this book for quotes in my project.

Reisner, Robert George., and Lorraine Wechsler. Encyclopedia of Graffiti. Galahad Books, 1980.

Graffiti is a form of language that has evolved over many years. This book describes the different wordings and symbols to help onlookers understand what they are seeing when they look at a Wall Writing.

School, Written bySeres LuColumbia Journalism. “Global.” Graffiti vs. Street Art, Columbia Journalism School, www.columbia.edu/~sl3731/graffitiART/.

Graffiti and Street Art are often put together in the same definition but if you further break it down Graffiti is mostly forms of tagging names and symbols while Street Art consists of stencils and murals. This website helped me understand what differentiates graffiti from vandalism.

Snyder, Gregory J. Graffiti Lives: beyond the Tag in New York's Urban Underground. New York University Press, 2011.

Gregory Snyder’s book Graffiti Lives: Beyond the Tag in New York’s Urban Underground took me through different New York artists and their work. Snyder had artists of simple tags to artists that paint murals on the walls of New York streets. I was able to use this book to discover more about the different kinds of Graffiti.

Stravasky, Louis. “Interviews with Street Artists .” Street Art NYC RSS, 14 Oct. 2020, streetartnyc.org/blog/category/interviews/.

Because Graffiti is illegal it is extremely difficult to find interviews with these artists. Louis Stravasky was able to interview a few well known artists about their work and what it means to them. I was able to use this information in my project for quotes and a well rounded understanding of other Street Artists.

Suri, Charu. “Street Art Confronts the Pandemic.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 1 May 2020, www.nytimes.com/2020/05/01/travel/coronavirus-street-art.html.

In the current pandemic, Graffiti artists have been having a field day with the newly abandoned stores and blank walls. These new artists have found their voice through these images of this pandemic going on. This source has been extremely helpful in the role Graffiti plays today. Taschen . Trespass: a History of Uncommissioned Urban Art. Taschen, 2010.

Graffiti is a form of art that is illegal in most places but is still admired by people from around the world. The book Trespass:a History of Uncommissioned Urban Art is a history of Graffiti dating back to the 1700s. Graffiti is a huge overlooked form of communication that allows people to express themselves through their art. This book was extremely helpful with quotes and inspiration for my project.

Temme, Bart, et al. “Street Art Cities .” Street Art Cities, 2020, streetartcities.com/.

Street Art is everywhere. If you walk downtown in any city you’ll find different pieces of artwork done by Street Artists. Bart Timme and his team put together a website where you can search any big city and find the Graffiti and other art on their walls. This was a super helpful website to me with finding the art that I needed for my exhibit.

“Tribute To Graffiti Art: 50 Beautiful Street Artworks.” Smashing Magazine, 14 Sept. 2008, www.smashingmagazine.com/2008/09/tribute-to-graffiti-50-beautiful-graffiti-artworks/.

These 50 street art pieces are examples of political stances through public artwork. Each one of these murals has hidden meanings that are easily found by onlookers when they stop and look at the artwork presented. I was able to use these 50 murals as a foundation for my research on the ability to communicate through Street Art. “Turf War by Banksy: Buy.” MyArtBroker, 13 Oct. 2020, www.myartbroker.com/artist/banksy/turf-war/.

A very famous art piece in the Graffiti community from 2003 was Banksy’s “Turf War”. In his painting, Banksy takes the image of Winston Churchill and gives him a green mohican to send the message to denounce the battles that killed so many lives. Banksy communicated his view on Winston Churchill through his painting. I was able to use this image and story as an example of communication through art in my project.

“Vandalism vs. Graffiti.” Vandalism vs. Graffiti - What's the Difference? | Ask Difference, 1 July 2019, www.askdifference.com/vandalism-vs-graffiti/.

Vandalism and Graffiti are often put into the same box, but when you break it down they have totally different meanings. Vandalism is a deliberate damage or defacement of an object while Graffiti is a writing or drawing scribbled, scratched or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface as a form of art. I was able to apply this to my project as a basis to define Graffiti.

WordPress. “Styles of Graffiti.” GraffitoCanberra, 2 Sept. 2013, graffitocanberra.wordpress.com/styles-of-graffiti/.

There are many different forms of Graffiti. An article by WordPress explains the different styles of Graffiti starting with a tag and going through with blockbusters and heavens. This website helped me to know the different types of Graffiti that I can research for my project.