Graffiti Art: Styles, Iconography, and Message

Students will learn about the styles and the visual elements used in graffiti art and also about the role this art form can play in society. They will first explore the evolution of graffiti iconography, from a form of typography in its origins towards very detailed visuals and artwork more recently. They will also discover the different graffiti styles and will experiment with them to create their own graffiti nickname. To conclude, they will learn how the visual language of graffiti transcends the individual artist when it conveys a political message.

• Art theory (theory of representation) and history of art

• Interpreting and using visual arts elements and techniques

This unit has a creativity and critical thinking focus:

• Challenge assumptions and play with unusual, radical ideas

• Generate ideas and make connections

• Produce, perform or envision something personal

• Appreciate novelty and/or possible consequences of art

Web and Print

• Graffiti creator tool: http://www.graffiticreator.net/ 

• Different graffiti styles:

  • Blek le Rat (pioneering French Stencil Graffiti artist): http://bleklerat.free.fr 

  • Pure Evil (graffiti artist): http://pureevilgallery.virb.com/ 

  • Ben Eine (graffiti artist): http://www.blackbookgallery.com/artists/ben-eine/ 

  • Diffgraff (Website showcasing graffiti and street art in Cardiff but also includes a searchable A-Z listing of graffiti artists -click on the artist's tab): https://diffgraff.wordpress.com/about/ 

  • Peaceful Progress: http://www.peacefulprogress.org/ 

  • Boiler House (Cardiff Graffiti and Street Art gallery): http://boilerhousegraffiti.com/ 

• Graffiti that makes a statement:

  • Shepherd Fairey’s art: https://obeygiant.com/images/2015/12/EARTH-DAY-PRESENTATION-FINAL-.pdf  

  • Banksy (British artist): https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/dec/21/banksy-copenhagen-regents-canal 

  • Pejac (Spanish artist): http://www.pejac.es/outdoor/ 

  • Mr. Thoms (Italian artist): http://www.thoms.it/ 

Other

• Computer and Internet access

• Digital camera / iPad / mobile phone to take photos and record videos

English Version

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1q_KwjBvvIU6xG-EBZ3wwY1KkIcmRSS0c7StYf16vmfA/edit?usp=sharing

Hindi Version

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aQK_ZNXu7C1MqflwHTUhXKbaKkK64Kwue7PtySo1qgs/edit?usp=sharing 

Gujarati Version

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jowZdvW5twEBSzTn0WTmNgxtx_WltXDi7ZeFmaqMVYU/edit?usp=sharing 

Kannada Version

• https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jLp9hufOrFFNR2NCL5-nAPOFIDs8Mh6cbnplgHwVLAk/edit?usp=sharing