Graffiti

For most of us, we have basically seen graffiti in every town we have ever been to. I know that for me, whenever I see graffiti, I never really think too much about it. Usually I just pass it by, without giving any thought as to what the meaning behind the art is. However, behind each work or art there is some sort of meaning.
As we discussed in class, for many, graffiiti is a voice. It helps people show their feelings, but rather than only in words, people are able to show everyone how they feel.
I recently read an article that brought about a lot of interesting points about graffiti:

Although the general public criticises graffiti for contributing to the 'ugliness' of an area, graffiti writers as a rule do not write for the public as an audience. They write for themselves, and other writers, engaging in a dialogue with others who they may have never met, who inhabit the same city or visit the same areas. (Ilse Scheepers)

Up until now, I always believed that a big part of the reason graffiti writers did what they did is to make a statement to the people that would look at their art. Now I am able to see that they do it for themselves.