Graffiti: The Art of Disadvantaged Communities

UNION” by ewe neon licensed under CC BY 2.0

Source: WWLTV

Graffiti is the art of disadvantaged communities, often times serving as one of the few creative outlets for artists who otherwise have no resources.

In New Orleans, large graffiti murals are not uncommon. In fact, they decorate the the streets, buildings, and even houses. On the same note, however, it is not legal to create graffiti art anywhere in the city without consent of the owner and a long process of approval for city officials, say residents.

“Even to paint your own stuff, you have to send it to a committee of people,” says artist Ayo Scott.

Whether graffiti murals are interpreted as art or as vandalism, however, varies. In the last month, 200 cases of vandalism have been reported. Artists who are accused of vandalism and convicted for it, can face jail time or tickets of hundreds of dollars.

The very nature of graffiti as a public outcry, as a larger message from the artist, should, in some ways, lends insights to its historical significance for disadvantaged communities across America.

Read full story at: WWLTV

Arts Media & Culture, News
Arts, Media & Culture, News