Friday, April 22, 2011

Graffiti Tee Shirts Speak Volumes

By Elisabeth Herring


Graffiti writing has been in existence for thousands of years. It's been employed to do everything from raising awareness, to shouting obscenities and marking territorial boundaries. For some people, it is nothing but vandalism and should be eradicated. For others, it is a beautiful art form which allows disaffected artists an alternative venue to express themselves. Street art has experienced an elevated level of popularity in recent times. Some artists are finding themselves in legitimate galleries and others are even being approached to put their art on graffiti tee shirts.

Urban art has undergone a great many transformations over time. Hard core street artists, sometimes called 'graf artists', consider themselves part of what amounts to a global subculture. From Amsterdam to France, New York to Serbia, many of these artists risk a great deal to create their art.

Some artists use urban art as a means of commenting on social issues. Graphic images and slogans are used to evoke a response in a general populace seen as complacent. Other artists use their art to gain prominence within the street art community. Within this community, there are specific rules which may marginally differ depending on region.

There are several scenarios and subjects that can be covered by these unspoken rules. Issues like what constitutes respect of other artists work, and what constitutes a breach of ethics are examples. Having some sort of guidelines can specifically influence the way hostile acts are performed between rival urban art groups. In many cases, these rivalries go completely unnoticed by the populace at large.

This can also be true of the kinds of symbols employed in various locations to define gang territories. An average citizen may not necessarily be aware of what certain symbols mean. However, rival gangs members will immediately comprehend that they have effectively reached, and/or crossed a boundary into hostile territory.

It is the opinion of some people, that when images from street art are placed on clothing, it serves to legitimate that art. When an urban artist creates a work of art specifically to go on clothing, the art itself is re-contextualized. Clothing presents an opportunity for a moving installation, where several ideas are displayed simultaneously.

Street art will always play a role in society. Many times it serves to give a glimpse into what is happening beneath the more easily recognized surface of a city. Graffiti tee shirts may possibly end up serving as a bridge between these worlds. Perhaps, it could also serve to bring more attention to this amazing art form.

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