Graffiti emerged as a form of urban expression linked to youth, the periphery, and the need to occupy public space with their own voice. Initially seen as vandalism, graffiti has evolved over the decades and gained recognition as one of the most powerful languages of contemporary art.
Born in large cities, especially in contexts of social inequality, graffiti has transformed walls, trains, and facades into artistic supports. Stylized letters, characters, symbols, and political messages have come to compose a visual landscape that directly dialogues with urban daily life. More than aesthetics, graffiti carries identity, belonging, and resistance.
Over time, many graffiti artists have moved between the street and institutional spaces, such as galleries and museums. This migration has generated debates about the loss or transformation of the subversive character of graffiti. Even so, its essence remains linked to creative freedom, the occupation of public space, and direct communication with society.
Today, graffiti is recognized as a global artistic movement, capable of crossing cultural and social boundaries, keeping its critical and poetic force alive in cities around the world.
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