People need to look past their own ignorance and realize that no matter the canvas, art is something that should be appreciated and showed off. .
Whether it's a quick tag, or an entire piece, graffiti is easily one of the most notorious types of self-expression. However, there's a constant battle between those who consider it an art form, and those who do not. Graffiti can be defined as markings, initials, slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building, public restroom, etc. In most countries, marking or painting property without the property owner's consent is considered defacement and vandalism, which is a punishable crime. Controversies that surround graffiti continue to create conflict between law enforcement and writers who wish to display and appreciate work in public locations. Even though graffiti is loosely referred to as art, the creativity and skills needed to be a graffiti artist surpass most assumptions and continue to awe those who are lucky enough to witness work in progress.
The origin of the word graffiti is said to be derived from the Italian word graffiare which means to scratch, or possibly from the Latin word graphire- to write (HarperCollins). Although the first sighted graffiti is unknown, many believe that it has been around since the times of ancient Egypt due to the fact that there were graffiti markings found on ancient Egyptian monuments. However, it's the sudden popularity of "modern"" graffiti that has caught the public's eye. It is said that modern graffiti art originated in New York City. This art form is said to have begun in the late 1960's when teens used permanent markers to tag or write their names, followed by the number of the street on which they lived, in subway cars. Today, graffiti artists commonly use some sort of nickname or logo in their work as a way of keeping themselves anonymous to the law.
