by D. C. and A. R.

Mural painting can be described as the "decoration of walls or ceilings for aesthetic purposes, executed in any of several techniques . . . Closely allied to architectural and decorative schemes . . . often emphasizes or enhances interior design." (Funk and Wagnalls 165). This recognized style of art differs from modern-day wall painting, graffiti painting, or graffiti which, contrarily, can be described as "Inscriptions of figures, designs, or words on rocks, or walls or sidewalks or the like, or on artifacts made of plaster, stone, or clay." (Reisner Encyclopedia 1). These two art forms are both very similar and very different: one leads into the other and vice-versa. Muralist painting can be found all over the world as, of course, can graffiti. This paper looks at the influence muralists have had on two cultures and the reasons and types of people that would participate in graffiti art.