Aerosol art, also known as graffiti art, refers to spray-painted images found in public places. The term aerosol art lends legitimacy to a practice that many regard as an art form, distinguishing it from the unwelcome graffiti images that are a crime in many cities and a nuisance to building owners and residents. Although the practice may have started as a way for youth to make a statement about society or claim a territory for a gang, many aerosol artists have created images that many people consider to be of high artistic merit and quality. Individuals and organizations have worked in recent decades to improve the reputation of an emerging aerosol art form and provide a platform for young artists to express themselves in a more socially acceptable manner.
Spray paint has long been the preferred method of marking buildings and other public spaces youth, many of whom come from disadvantaged urban backgrounds. Early graffiti and aerosol art expressed a desire to stake a claim to a piece of land or, in a literal sense, to leave one’s mark on the world. Spray paint’s popularity soared as a method of creating aerosol art due to its accessibility, portability, and permanence, prompting many cities to prohibit its sale to minors. Because graffiti is illegal in many cities around the world, creating aerosol art requires a high level of speed. That’s where aerosol or spray paint from a can comes in handy.
The quality of the images is one reason for the growing acceptance of aerosol art in mainstream society. Many aerosol art images progress from scribbled markings and words to intricately detailed and colorful compositions that, like other more traditional art forms, convey a powerful message and elicit emotion in the viewer. Some artists have become well-known for their instantly recognizable images that appear all over a city. The thrill of knowing that someone is creating the images in secret while trying to stay one step ahead of the law only adds to the mystique surrounding these countercultural young artists.
Many aerosol artists have achieved legendary status in recent years. Some have legitimized their art spray-painting it on canvases and selling it to collectors. Some urban organizations have set up aerosol parks with permanent walls where kids can paint without damaging nearstructures. The goal of these parks is to provide a safe, legal environment for young people to express themselves while also preventing unwelcome graffiti from spreading throughout the city.