How Street Artists Make Their Mark

Thanks to artist and art educator, Lorna Mahler, for sharing this short film illustrating the ways in which street artists use images and text to communicate messages around social issues, justice and change.

A far cry from scrappy tags spray-painted by territorial teenagers, street art can be beautiful, provocative and hard-hitting. In plain sight, this guerrilla artform unofficially places itself in the public domain, obliging passers-by to absorb the visual content and messaging.

Not only is it a commentary on society, street art is also a rebellion against the commodification of art and the disenfranchisement of artists by commercial and elitist art institutions and galleries.

“Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” ~ Banksy

Sometimes used to beautify urban areas and at others to draw attention to the failings of the system, street art can indeed fulfil the purpose of Art, as seen by renowned yet anonymous street artist, Banksy, to “..comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.”

Have you seen or produced street art with a strong social message? Share a photo in our Community Forum and we’ll put it out through our social media channels.