Graffiti Framed Art
The fine art world is sometimes criticized as being elitist and out of touch with the general population. One antidote to such attitudes can be found in framed graffiti art. Graffiti art is a style associated with the streets and therefore the masses. It is controversial in some circles, but there is no doubting graffiti’s influence on art in general.
Although framed graffiti art paintings have only become collectors’ items in the last few decades, the activity of graffiti itself is quite old. Archaeologists have found examples of graffiti in ancient Greek and Roman sites. As is the case now, political slogans, satire, and declarations of love were found amongst the Greek and Roman graffiti. This in keeping with the populist spirit of graffiti art.
Bringing framed graffiti art pictures to the fine art world began in the early 1980s. Like many graffiti artists, Lady Pink (born Sandra Fabara) got her start “tagging,” or spray-painting the subways in New York City around this time period. The illegal nature of this activity contributes to graffiti art’s controversial reputation. Lady Pink eventually transitioned into studio art and is still active today, creating works like “Lady of the Leaf.”
Some the most famous artists of the 1980s created framed graffiti art pieces. For example, Keith Haring, like Lady Pink, started out tagging various structures in New York. Haring was one of the first graffiti artists to make a serious effort to commercialize his work when he opened the Pop Shop to sell his work and related merchandise. Jean-Michel Basquiat used graffiti art to critique the racism he saw in society with pieces like “Undiscovered Genius.” The tradition persists today with artists like Banksy, who likes to combine classic images with unsettling elements.