Street Mural Painting

Murals, street paintings, and graffiti are painted for several different reasons. Some artists draw for political reasons and some do it for a leisure activity. Graffiti could be considered a little insight into the minds of people who are spokesmen not only for themselves, but for others like them. Reisner states that graffiti artists "are seldom seen at their labors." (Reisner Graffiti 4). So, as Reisner has discussed, the type of individual creating graffiti art is someone who answers questions by the nature of the message being portrayed and captures the spirit of the times. "The graffiti artist engages in political views and satire, comedy, homemade philosophy and advice to the lovelorn" (Reisner Encyclopedia V). These modern day wall murals can be used to interpret daily events, fantasies, or a way of life that is troubled by despair. Amidst the positives of graffiti art, there are several drawbacks. It is defacing somebody else's property. As quoted by Kurlansky, a white property owner was once reported as saying, "They've messed up my property three times. If I catch them I'll break their arms off with a lead pipe." (4) The paints used are normally stolen and, therefore, if one is caught preparing to paint or is painting, they are subject to heavy fines and arrests. However, in today's society, graffiti is a way of gaining a name. In order to be known, one must spread the word. These artists, by painting on walls, trains, and anywhere they can find a usable space and are literally spreading the word. Chairman Martinez was once quoted saying that "Graffiti writing is a way of gaining status in a society where to own property is to have an identity" (Kurlansky 14). This is important to understand because graffiti drawing is an attempt to succeed in a world where there are no real outlets for greatness in this fundamental street art.

There are many reasons why somebody would participate in the painting of murals and the creation of graffiti. One reason is political, another is a form of expression, and still, to others, it is a way to make a living. The history of mural painting being so closely aligned with the artists' true expression and the medium lends itself to appreciation and condemnation but never apathy. Mural painting and its close cousin, graffiti art, have been here for a long time and are likely to be here even longer.