Global Graffiti – Photo Documentary
Prague
One thing is certain no matter where I go in the world, I run into graffiti. Sometimes it’s painful to see when it scars beautiful doors, buildings, and walls in Europe’s ancient cities. But sometimes it’s beautiful, artistic, and brings a city together. I’ve been taking photos of graffiti that captures me for sad or happy reasons as I have traveled the globe and here are some of my favorite shots.
Graffiti is art or an eyesore around the world? Let me know what you think in the comments!
Barcelona
London
Beirut
New York City
Amsterdam
Ho Chi Minh City
Milan
Oahu Hawaii
Volgograd
Caught in the act - Prague
Your Comments
16 Comments so far
Share your view
Post a comment
Interviews Conducted:
Download my Free E-books
Hiking the Annapurna Circuit - Nepal
Indie Travel Manifesto
Site by: David Robert Hogg SEO and Design
Graphics by:Wanderlust Productions
I have really learned to appreciate graffiti art during my travels in South America. I hope to have a collection of photos of graffiti like this from around the world.
The photo from London is very cool!
I really like tasteful, artistic graffiti. I wish people wouldn’t tag stuff for gang affiliations and just for vandalism’s sake, but when it’s art, that’s different.
Thanks for weighing in JoAnna!
I love great graffiti… simple tagging and scribbling, not at all.
If you find yourself in Philly at some point in the future – you have to check out their sponsored mural project, currently the largest in the US. It was originally created to help curb ugly graffiti, and replace with great art on the side of row houses and buildings. The Mural Mile is a great walk past some really great work.
Thanks for the tip Don! I haven’t been to Philly in ages!
Like you, I am often torn about this subject. Graffiti can be great art, but when it defaces beautiful old buildings or historic sites I think it is disgraceful. On the other hand, I love it when it is done as murals on walls, in subway stations, etc. Like everything else, there is a time and a place.
I tend to put graffiti into two boxes these days – street art (murals, paintings, etc.) and tagging. I love the former and hate the latter. I really don’t see any artistic merit in tagging – it just seems destructive.
However, I love cities full of street murals, paintings and quirky characters on walls.
I agree Audrey. I personally love the image from Milan – yet I’m sad to see it on a door.
I gotta echo the other sentiments – I like street art on the right buildings/structures, but tagging not so much.
So when does graffiti become art? It seems to be in the eye of the beholder? Which of the above would be considered “art”?
I personally think the one from Lebanon is more on the art side. But you ask a great question Mark. Anyone else care to chime in??
I appreciate the better, more accomplished work that’s in the right place…a block wall on an urban building side, or perhaps a compound wall. For some reason, it annoys me to no end to see it on stone. I guess to me the paint is transitory, where the stone is permanent and thus deserves more “respect”.
Excellent point about the stone and how place is important. Thanks for weighing in!
I love colour, so i go with the Prague graffiti. The London one seems a little too much.
Also love the Milan. It has that Banksy touch. Simple but still expressive of something.
I saw a great documentary about street art vs graffiti on the plane. It was all about a rivalry between banksy and another artist. It made for great viewing!
Was it Exit through the Giftshop – it’s a great documentary about street art – really interesting. Glad you thought of me when you saw it!
Cheers!