Feature Article

The complexity of street art has been pushed under

the table. Street art is normally seen after the artist creates it. Due to not wanting to get caught, many street artists create their work before light hours. The disconnection of not knowing how the artist created the work leaves a closed door to appreciating and understanding its complex nature. Street art has several different characteristics that help individualize and create unique bodies of work. According to “Street Art: Definition and Techniques,” “street art can include a wide variety of traditional work, stencil drawings, sticker art, wheat pasting, street poster art, video projection, guerrilla art, flash mobbing and installation art."

Many of these techniques are considered

to be a two step process that needs time for

development. In hopes to create a cohesive piece, many street artists try to intertwine their idea with the certain technique their working with. Placement is also a factor that is played into the equation. Due to the unconventional nature of finding the “perfect” space to create a cohesive work of art, many street artists have a mountain to climb when it involves a complex idea or concept their trying to portray. Some street art can reflect and interact with its environment, with the artists’ intent of creating a juxtaposition of subject matter.

The artist Mark Jenkins, a street artist who incorporates human figures that are made from reusable and man made materials such as packing tape, newspapers, garbage,and clothing, has implemented the concept of creating a seamless piece of art. One of Jenkins’s art pieces - particularly the man that is reading a newspaper that is made out of just that newspaper - was incorporated on a busy street in a metropolitan city. In a “Draw a Line” interview, Jenkins was asked whether he intends to dismantle the piece of artwork. He responded “we leave the figure out there, literally giving them their own lives…it wouldn't be street art if we take it back.” Many street artists, such as Mark Jenkins, incorporate this idea of leaving their art in a space to fundamentally leave a bigger impact on street dwellers. Street art is not a mediocre way of expression; street artists try to create a piece of work that is both intriguing and memorable with the use of their own techniques and placement to create one elaborate piece of art.

The common stereotype that graffiti is only bad for society is something that turns people away from seeing the positive effects it can have. The art of creating something new in a space can bring awareness about a topic or controversy in culture. According to, “Graffiti For Social Change” by Sara Spiegel, the progression of freedom of speech in developing countries is on a stand still. Graffiti art has changed the way people can use there voice to their advantage. In this instance, graffiti artists are trying to get the governments attention through this art-form to make a change in their government; hopefully regaining their freedom of speech.

Another example in which graffiti artists are making a change in the way society sees the government is mentioned in the article “Voice of America” by Lenny Ruvaga. The article brings up a concern that is occurring in Kenya, the corruption and the chronic problem in their police and government officials. A local graffiti artist, “Bankslave” is creating a new way in solving the issue of “blindness" in the act of following these hierarchy’s in the government. He is using Graffiti art as a political statement to uproar Kenya’s society in the act of thinking about this issue of corruption and is changing the way they see their elected leaders for who they really are.

When it comes to art, many individuals are not able to have the luxury of paying to see artwork in art galleries, but graffiti is changing the way one is able to see art, making it more accessible. Through the easy access of just strolling down a street and seeing a piece of artwork on a wall that was empty before, individuals can have a sense of inspiration for ones community through this art-from.

Graffiti can exploit new possibilities and encourage creativeness, making towns and cities more colorful in their way of thinking about ideas and concepts. Graffiti art is a form of expressionism that can create big ideas and can tackle challenges in one’s community because of its accessibility.

Something that society does not think about when they hear the word “graffiti” is that it can help social development. The article, “Graffiti is a Public Good” from The New York Times illustrates a few instances in which the encouragement of social development is making a change in Rio de Janeiro’s community. Many leading street artists are partnering with police officials to get the final “Ok” to paint murals in low income neighborhoods and schools. Encouraging the creativeness in young aspiring artists in these schools is developing a new outlook on the lives of different individuals. The artists try to encourage beautification in these rundown neighborhoods, in hopes to bring tourists to their country, thus creating a stronger economy for Rio de Janeiro’s community.

Graffiti art, whether one interprets it as a bad thing for one’s society or not, has actually made a positive impact on the world. Whether it is forming an alliance to tackle issues in one’s community in a conceptual way or is leaving a imprint on the individual lives in society, graffiti can be seen as a public good.

-Graffitis complexed nature-

Graffiti Making a Benfit!

"Society forgets the complexity of street art and dismiss it as a form of vandalism. Graffiti art is just like any other art form. It makes a bold statement and creates a platform of new perceptions and discoveries."

-Lacey ringsmuth

Slulpture Instalation

"Tape Giraffe"-by. Mark Jenkins

Sculpture Instalation

"NewsPaper Man" -by.Mark Jenkins

"Once I have the finished sculpture, I’ll put it out on the street or in nature or somewhere where it interacts with the environment. Really it’s kind of the idea of turning the street into a stage and this sort of urban theater has a life of its own. If you have creative drive, and you need to manifest it, then you need some sort of medium to do that through. For me, it worked out with sculpture, and tape just is a means of doing sculpture."

-Mark Jenkins

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