The relationship between art and vandalism can be complex, involving a variety of aspects of artistic creation and criticism. Acts of vandalism against works of art, such as the defamation of a painting or sculpture, are some of the most unfortunate connections between these two concepts. Certain works, usually various forms of graffiti, have also sparked debate about the relationship between art and vandalism, with some viewers dismissing them as nothing more than vandalism, while others defend them as legitimate works of art.
Arguments about the natures of art and vandalism have raged for decades, if not centuries, and most of these debates revolve around the origins of vandalism and its legitimacy as a form of artistic expression. However, one of the most unfortunate connections between art and vandalism is when works of art are vandalized others. This can take a variety of forms, ranging from attempts to physically alter or destroy a work of art to theft or arson, all of which could result in the artwork being removed from public view. There are a variety of reasons why someone might want to vandalize artwork, but in general, both artists and art critics condemn such acts.
The creation of graffiti and other types of vandalism, which some have argued are works of art in and of themselves, is one of the more unusual and potentially contentious connections between art and vandalism. This type of graffiti usually goes beyond the typical simple images and words used some graffiti artists, and instead creates an image that tells a story or conveys a message. Graffiti is frequently argued to surpass simple acts of vandalism in this capacity, and to create a link between the realms of art and vandalism.
Graffiti artists such as Banksy and Shepard Fairey have become well-known for their work and the social and political statements that their works make. Because the artwork is created outside of a studio and displayed in public rather than in a gallery, these works can also serve to emphasize the importance of the viewer’s role. When art and vandalism are combined in these types of works, critics and viewers can have a wide range of reactions. Some cities choose to remove or paint over these works of graffiti art, while others choose to keep them as examples of artistic expression.