Graffiti has been around for thousands of years, with it’s roots dated back as far as 30,000 BC in the form of prehistoric drawings on cave walls, usually a depiction of stick figures that tell a story. The modern form of graffiti has been around since ancient times, being traced back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. In those days it was in the form of inscriptions of drawings on the walls of ruins or catacombs, usually to tell a story.
These days, graffiti is mostly found in urban areas – on the sides of buildings, billboards, street signs, subway terminals or other public places (by definition, graffiti is on public property and considered an act of vandalism). Graffiti these days is usually used to spread a political message or in some cases to mark territory (among gangs). A few pieces of graffiti have become famous for their symbolism and for their widespread usage. Here are a few such pieces of famous graffiti:
source: Wikipedia
“Kilroy Was Here” was a piece of graffiti that appeared all over the U.S. during World War II and for decades thereafter. Seen in the image to the left, it depicts a balding man peeking over a wall with the accompanying phrase. The phrase “Kilroy Was Here” was originated by U.S. Serviceman who would draw the picture on the walls of places they were stationed or visited, and became a popular American expression.
source: Rap-Wallpapers.com
Graffiti can also be used in memoriam of a fallen figure. Seen in the image to the right, this graffiti mural is located in Los Angeles, California in homage to the famous rap star, Tupac Shakur, who was murdered in 1996. The graffiti bears Shakur’s image along with the text “Live By the Gun – Die By the Gun”
source: banksycanvas.co.uk
Some graffiti artists become so prolific and have such beautiful and powerful pieces of graffiti that the graffiti artist themself becomes famous. One such famous graffiti artist is Banksy, a British street artist who’s work can be seen to the left. He mixes dark humor with his stencil designs and often sends messages of political and social commentary. Banksy, who’s identity is anonymous, has become so famous as to inspire the Academy Award-nominated documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop in 2011.