Graffiti
Objectives:
By the end of this unit, you should be able to…
…Describe the symbolism in a tag.
…Name the six elements of art
…Identify the principles of art
…Explain the evolution of graffiti through history.
…Understand the importance of originality.
Name: _________________________________Teacher Copy______________________________________
7th Grade Art Period ________________________________________
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GRAFFITI: LEGAL ART vs. ILLEGAL VANDALISM
-ask permission or be commissioned
-done without permission
-tourist attraction
-people don’t like the subject matter
-designs on clothing, shoes, etc.
-both are done by
are influenced by graffiti
an artist
-can be paid to create graffiti
-both want to send a
-trains and subways
-can get into trouble; fined or jail time
-sends a gang vibe
message
Lesson 1: What is Graffiti?

Graffiti originally referred to the inscriptions and markings found on the walls of ancient ruins:
o Greece
o Mayans
o Rome
o Prehistory- Cave men
o Vikings
o Soldiers during war
o Ancient Egypt

o Renaissance artists
GRAFFITI: any type of marking inscribed onto any surface, whom some regard as vandalism;
can be legal or illegal
“From the womb to the tomb, we as human beings have
had the need to create4 and mark our territory. We
need to let the rest of the world we are here. This is the
true foundation for graff writing.” ~Scape
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
1960’s: CORNBREAD and COOL EARL began leaving their signatures everywhere in
Philadelphia, PA.

1971: Signatures began popping up in NYC.
o TAKI 183 was one of the first artists to get media attention. After an interview,
hundreds of kids began writing their TAGS, or name, all over NYC.

The timeline between 1969 and 1974 is known as the pioneering era, when graffiti
experienced a surge in style and popularity.

1980’s: Graffiti from NYC began to spread worldwide due to hip hop subculture:
o Music videos
o Movies and film
“Why are we attracted to graffiti? I believe that part of it has
to do with what I call the psychology of self-affirmation. There
is something inside us that wants to take up space and proclaim
our existence. Graffiti has always been about rebellion, style and
observation.” ~Scape

Graffiti is now considered an American art form and it influences the work of individuals in
many areas:
o Graphic design
o illustration
o advertising
o technology
o photography
o fine arts
FAMOUS GRAFFITI ARTISTS:

TAKI 183: Manhattan teenager (NYC), his name and street #. Taki = Greek for Demetrius, 183
was his house number. ILLEGAL GRAFFITI. He did it for himself as a way to say “I was here!”
Did not use real name so he wouldn’t get into trouble; no one knew who he was until a few
years ago.

KEITH HARING: Born in Pennsylvania, 1958. Went to NYC School of Arts; noticed the empty
black panels in the subways and began writing on them with chalk. Was arrested numerous
times. Eventually began to use his graffiti style of dancing figures with graphic design legally
to create posters and such to spread a message. Died in 1990. ILLEGAL THEN LEGAL GRAFFITI.

BANSKY: Began in early 1990’s with graffiti gang Dry BreadZ crew. Frde hand and stencil
graffiti style until late 90’s when he used all stencils. From London, England. Images with
slogans, often with political theme. Real identity is unkown. ILLEGAL GRAFFITI, but people
accept his graffiti, unlike other illegal graffiti artists.

SCAPE MARTINEZ: Born in New Jersey; lives and works in San Francisco. Grew up around
graffiti and began to use it to express himself. Very large scale, colorful art. Is commissioned
to create public art, murals, etc. Is a writer and an art educator. Gets paid to graffiti. LEGAL
GRAFFITI.
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Lesson 2: What is a Tag?

ORIGINALITY: Creating something that is your own; using imagination and creativity to create
an individualized end product

PLAIGARISM: Copying someone else’s work without permission and without giving credit to
the original creator
TAG: A tag is more than just your name, it’s your identity; it’s a visual manifestation of your alter ego.
In graffiti art, your tag is usually the main focus of your art. It’s your logo.
When choosing a tag, think of the following:
1. How does it sound?
a. What does it make you think of?
b. REVOK vs. SLICK
2. How does it look when it’s written?
a. How do the letters look when written together?
b. Is there rhythm to the way your letters look?
3. Length
a. Don’t make your name too big
b. Short and to the point
c. Ideally, no more than 6 letters
4. What does your name mean?
a. Sometimes it doesn’t mean anything, just sounds cool
b. Some names stand for a hidden meaning
5. Numbers?
a. Early artist’s incorporated numbers, which stood for the street number they lived
on…i.e. 125th street in NYC = SCAPE 125
b. Numbers can be used for purely a design element…i.e. MODE 2
6. Some other tips:
a. Double A’s and E’s promote balance
b. Q, X and Z are letters that are often difficult to work with
c. Be creative with spelling
i. Interchangeable letters (C and K)
ii. ESCAPE became SKAPE, which was finalized to SCAPE
7. CREATE A LIST OF POSSIBLE TAG NAMES BELOW:
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Lesson 3: Elements and Principles of Graffiti

Tags can be broken up into four basic elements:
LETTER TEXT
The actual letters in the name / tag.
ARROWS
Any kind of marks that point or provide a
sense of directions; often connected to the
letter text
FLOURISHES
SYMBOLS
Added swirls, appendages, or expressions onto
Separate marks and expressions that represent
letter text.
text.
the letter structures; often connected to the

something else; not connected to the letter
A graffiti artist thinks a lot about the COMPOSITION of his or her tag. There needs to be flow
and purpose to the way it is put together. Each tag incorporates the elements and principles of
art in some way, shape or form.
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GRAFFITI STYLES

BUBBLE LETTERS:
Easiest to read and create

BLOCK LETTERS:
Straights; uses straight lines; may also be 3-D

SEMI-WILDSTYLE:
Semi-readable; very stylized; uses arrows and flourishes.

WILDSTYLE:
Not very legible; viewer may only be able to read a letter or two; style and execution is very important.
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