Modern graffiti art uses interesting concepts, bold graphics and smart punchlines to convey messages to our youth. Artists tell Shrabasti Mallik how the Internet is helping this revolution of pop art
The pyramid shaped installation lay blank as four young graffiti artists stood at a distance waiting for a cue to begin their work. We overheard one of them say, “Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals (graffiti artists) because they want to make the world a better looking place.” This is a quote by Banksy, one of the famous graffiti artists in the world. Graffiti was once considered as pirate art because it was often done in the dark of night, with no one watching. But over the years it has found a home in India. There are also many youngsters choosing it as their profession. Some such enthusiasts were at Select City Walk Saket for the Sprite Art Event. Graffiti has been an important and popular part of the event, therefore it is even bigger and better this time.
Popular demand
Graffiti has always been a medium to create awareness on many social, cultural and political issues. In fact, in the last few years many companies have been making most of the art to convey important messages to the masses as part of their corporate social responsibility. “Graffiti art is slowly becoming famous in India and art enthusiasts are beginning to explore this whole new world. It has more value now. Graffiti painting was once considered as pirate art but now artists get paid for it. David Choe is one of the richest graffiti artists in the world,” says 26-year-old graffiti artist, Sinam.
Artists feel that freedom of expression makes it even more popular. Says Sultan Aftab Khan, “Graffiti provides creative freedom. It is a good platform to express what you want.” Also, graffiti is the medium that easily appeals to our youth. “Graffiti is interesting because it appeals in many ways. One can look at it as an abstract art, something which brightens up the wall or as a means of communication,” says Prakash Oraon, a 24-year-old graduate of Picasso Animation College.
Bold and bright
Thanks to the Internet that today artists can access works of international artists and draw inspiration from them. As the topics and subjects addressed through graffiti are changing over the years, their depiction also needs a change. “One has to think of smart ways to convey the message to youth, who are much more aware now. The graphics are turning bold and messages that are scribbled on the art are smart punchlines to draw attention,” says artist Ankit Mamgain and adds that graffiti has also emerged in new age media.
For instance, to convey the message on noise pollution Sultan picks up elements of music as he knows that “today’s generation takes keen interest in it.” He is planning to come up with a graffiti that will present a girl wearing a tee with the slogan ‘you say my music is loudIJ’ and there is a truck in the background with ‘horn ok please’ written at its back. “I want to convey that there is a lot of sound pollution in the city which is really disturbing and at times annoying. There are people who are strongly against loud music but they do nothing about sound pollution around them,” explains Sultan.
Future message
Street art, if developed, nurtured and promoted properly, can bring a revolution in the way India look at art and can become a free stage through which one can spread important messages.
“Recent graffiti works in metros and in smaller parts of our country indicate the art’s popularity. We should encourage more people to take part in it. It is also a comparatively economical way to say something because if you paint a wall then people will at least give a cursory glance when they walk past it and that’s what matters,” says Prakash.
On the other hand, Sinam believes that, “through this art people can save paper and money spent on prints and advertisements. The biggest advantage of this art is that it provides a huge canvas for display.”
photos Sanjeev Kumar