Street art is the subject of intense debate for recent generations. Should tagging a public wall considered a work of art or an offense against the community? Is there any difference between an officially commissioned mural and what a group of teenagers spray-paint in their spare time?

To better understand this issue, let's look at how street art evolved and currently stands.

The History of Street Art

There's a difference between street art and graffiti. While graffiti refers to paint or scratches on a wall, street art is a serious attempt to create a visual icon in a public venue, like painting a mural on the side of an apartment building. Even so, legal authorities may not separate the two depending on the nature of the work.

Graffiti has existed since the days of Ancient Greece, if not earlier. It was common to leave inscriptions or crude messages painted onto public walls, taking the form of political slogans, poetry, love confessions, and even literary quotes. Modern graffiti emerged as a result of the hip-hop subculture in New York, taking on free expression through tagging subway stations.

Street art, on the other hand, got its start around the same time and place as modern graffiti. The common World War II sign of "Kilroy Was Here" led to an exploration of serious street art in the 1960s. It became far more prevalent during the 1980s, with Richard Hambleton itching out shadow figures in Soho and Keith Haring painting elaborate advertisements on subway walls. When the Washington Project for the Arts held an urban art exhibit in 1981, street art had established itself as a modern genre with serious cultural value.

Modern Street Art

Graffiti on the walls of major buildings is nothing new in the developed world, from the streets of Los Angeles to the neighborhoods of London. However, present-day examples of street art are becoming political once more.

In China, the rising economy has led to an explosion of political expression. In small urban communities, this has led to a rise in graffiti with pro-democracy slogans, depictions of state police, and scenes from Western media (which is often subject to censorship in China). Artists are careful not to tag anywhere near politically sensitive areas like Tiananmen Square.

In Egypt, a series of revolutions and regime changes has led to a major division in the country between supporters of the military government and followers of the Muslim Brotherhood. Around Tahrir Square and Mohamed Mahmoud Street in Cairo, young street artists paint a blend of Ancient Egyptian culture (such as hieroglyphs) and modern political messages (both in support of and opposing military rule). Artists like "Awad" are expressing themselves for the first time in several generations, painting out their passions against the constant chaos.

Image by Gigi Ibrahim on Flickr