Is graffiti an art form?

For the last decades, graffiti have formed part of our street life. They are practically everywhere, in buildings, buses, in the railways… But is it considered art?

Some may think that it isn’t art, that it is disrespectful, and I understand this, because there are some graffiti that are just simple lines or words that are painted on private houses, buildings and just spoil public elements, not to say that it's really hard to clean them. I think that their main problem is the location. From my point of view, they should be promoted and be given more space in the streets for them. Some are just stunning, incredible works of art.

Some graffit are city-funded, that is, they are created to beautify the environment with some spectacular art work. In fact, in some cities like Stockholm or neighbourhoods like Brooklyn´s Bushwick, you can find enormous walls, for people to paint on them, to express themselves. You are even encouraged to paint on them. I think this is a great idea. Through graffiti there is a feeling of freedom and creativity, because street art is not just about painting on the walls, but about expressing yourself or your way of thinking. You don't need to be famous or be supported by art galleries and museums, you can just put your work when and as you wish in the streets.

However, now, with the social media, there are more graffiti artists that shows their works, and why they do it. Some of these would rather remain anonymous, because of legal and privacy reasons. And even some of the graffiti artists don't tag their work, and the mystery continues. The best part of this is that in most of the cases they are never like you think they really are!

There is also a kind of ‘hidden reason’ in the graffiti world: which is that painted streets show a colourful world that makes a life happier, because, it adds uniqueness to boring grey walls. You walk through, and it just draws a smile on your face. It motivates you. It makes people get inspired.

Now if you saw someone making a huge and beautiful mural, with incredible details, colours... Wouldn´t you call that person an artist?