Graffiti artists in SA

According to Stowers (2005), vales and reasons for people engaging in graffiti art are different with each artist. The main reason is fame and recognition of their ‘artwork’ (Stowers, 2005). Stowers (2005) denotes that Grafitti is known as a way of self expressing oneself. Like the art of writing, Graffitti is a form of communicating with other writers and the public (Stowers, 2005). Stowers (2005) notes that: “What it communicates is the artist's identity, expression, and ideas. Judgments are based solely on one's artistic ability”. This form of communication creates value due to the fact that it connects people concerning cultural, lingual, or racial differences in way that nothing else can (Stowers, 2005). On the other hand when working with a team or crew on a piece of artwork, you tend to share a common goal that you work together to achieve (Stowers, 2005). In addition to the other ideals, it ads a sense of achievement value to the graffiti artist (Stowers, 2005).

According to Stowers (2005) some graffiti artists view their art as a bad deed against politically and economically orientated authorities.

“For some artists see themselves as revolutionaries reacting against the established art market or gallery system in that art is not only that which appears in the gallery as determined by the curator” (Stowers, 2005).

Some artists also view their creations on public and private spaces as a statement against Western ideas of capitalism and private property (Stowers, 2005). Of course, the majority of graffitists enjoy what they do and find it to be fun, rewarding, and exciting (Stowers, 2005). Although these reasons are valid, they do not settle the matter as to why graffiti art is art or why it is a legal art form nevermind its illegal origins (Stowers, 2005).

Reference List:
Stowers, G. 2005. Graffiti Art: An Essay Concerning The Recognition of Some Forms of Graffiti As Art. http://www.graffiti.org/faq/stowers.html [08 May 2012].

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