Wildstyle graffiti is a type of graffiti in which highly stylized letters are used. The writing appears mysterious and indecipherable to the untrained eye, but each graffiti artist follows a set pattern and technique, so wildstyle graffiti can be decoded by those in the know or those with the patience to decode a wildstyle piece. Because of its complexity and high level of detail, this type of graffiti is probably the most well-known around the world, and numerous examples can be found in urban areas.
The origins of this style appear to be in New York. Tracy 168 and Zephyr, among many others, are well-known practitioners. Wildstyle appeared one day and slowly spread through diffusion as visitors admired the style and retooled it for their own purposes in their hometowns, as is typical of graffiti trends. This technique is extremely difficult to master technically, and attempting it requires a high level of skill.
The use of dramatically transformed letters is a defining feature of the style. They can be distorted, have arrows and dots added to them, and be otherwise embellished. The letters traditionally interlock and overlap, forming a dense mass that can be embellished with contrasting colors and other embellishments. At the bottom of a wildstyle graffiti piece, the artist may sign his or her alias and the date, and some artists add three-dimensional elements that make the piece stand out visually.
Each artist creates his or her own version of wildstyle graffiti, which works in a similar way to fonts. People who are familiar with a particular artist’s work can usually spot signature elements in their work, so even unsigned pieces can be recognized. Wildstyle graffiti could almost be considered a private language because the writing is usually impossible to read for people who are not members of the graffiti and street art community.
Graffiti, also known as “tagging,” is a contentious form of self-expression. Graffiti artists write and draw in public places, pleading with passers-by to notice their work. Graffiti is considered vandalism and a nuisance by some, and it is punishable by fine in many cities. In other parts of the world, art is actively promoted as a means of encouraging people to express themselves in nonviolent ways and to contribute to public discourse through their work. Graffiti is unique in that it is a constantly evolving and changing form of art, with pieces constantly transforming rather than remaining static.