Every city has its masterpieces — and contrary to popular belief, they’re not always oil paintings or ancient sculptures housed in elite museums. Sometimes, the greatest artworks can be found under an overpass or on the side of an abandoned building. Thanks to the rise of street art, you don’t need to step foot into exclusive spaces to experience art — instead, it’s all around you.

From art galleries to alleyways, from underground culture to high fashion, graffiti has come a long way. What once was seen as just splatters of paint on a wall has evolved into an international cultural movement. One that has challenged norms, celebrated individuality, and redefined what art can be.

Where It All Began: The History of Graffiti Art

Human beings have been drawing on walls for thousands of years. These first ancient drawings were found in caves. Years later, Ancient Romans and Greeks followed suit, writing their names and poems on walls as a form of protest.

But the origins of the graffiti we know and love today can be traced back to New York City in the 1960s. Among artists, spray-painting graffiti is known as “writing” — something that initially confused one of the biggest street art legends, RISK.

A West Coast kid, he was drawing pictures at his LA school when a boy from New York approached him.

“He goes, ‘What do you write?’ and I’m like ‘I don’t write, I draw pictures.’ I thought he was dumb,” he recalls. “He was like ‘The subculture of graffiti is called writing’…and he showed me pictures of New York subway trains [with art on them].”

Throughout the 60s and 70s, this is where most street art could be found: the outer panels of subway trains. For these artists, putting their work on a mode of transport was the perfect way to get their tags (aka their artist names) out to every neighborhood.

By the 1980s, graffiti had made its way out to the West Coast of the United States. But it wasn’t a mainstream interest, largely because it’s usually illegal. Most works were done by gang members — which created major danger for those early pioneers like RISK.

“When we’re out painting someone’s neighborhood and we’re not from that neighborhood, they would assume that we were from another gang. So they’d shoot at us” he explains.

That said, within a few years, graffiti started becoming more recognized and accepted. In 1984, Subway Art by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant was published, bringing street art to the global stage. In 1987, Henry Chalfant and James Prigoff published Spray Can Art, which was just as popular.

Thanks to trailblazing and fearless artists, graffiti can now be found not just on the streets but in renowned galleries and art shows worldwide.

It’s also carved out its own unique space in the cultural zeitgeist, with influences on music, fashion, and everything in between.

Large geometric mural on a brick wall with a woman walking past.

Understanding Graffiti’s Impact on Culture

Throughout the years, street art has significantly shaped the music scene (and vice versa). In the 1970s and 80s, hip-hop emerged as an artistic powerhouse; it was then that the bond between graffiti and music was first formed. Before long, graffiti artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and RISK were creating album covers and stage sets for the likes of David Bowie, Michael Jackson, and more.

In the 90s and 2000s, the rise of electronic music played a role in the evolution of street art. These techno, bass-heavy beats were mimicked on walls around the world, a kaleidoscope of bright colors and repetitive, geometric patterns.

Graffiti’s impact on culture can also be seen in fashion. Its influence on streetwear is undeniable. Brands like Stüssy, for example, were born from surf and skate culture, featuring graffiti-inspired elements like bold tags, murals, and bubble letters. Many other brands have collaborated with street artists to create limited-edition collections.

But believe it or not, graffiti has also found its way into high fashion. Luxury brands like Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci have all adopted the allure of street art at one point or another. Neon-scrawled loafers, spray-painted dresses, boldly patterned purses — you name it and it’s been done. But as more street artists and fashion designers emerge, so do more opportunities for these creative geniuses to push boundaries and inspire one another.

An Inside Look at Street Art Techniques

As graffiti has evolved, so have the skills and the styles of the artists. Below are some of the most common street art techniques that have shaped the practice:

  • 3D graffiti: Designs that create optical illusions or depth, usually achieved through shading.
  • Drip technique: Using spray paint to leave splashes and drips, creating an overall abstract effect.
  • Freehand: The simplest and one of the most popular techniques out there, freehanding involves using spray paint to create whatever designs or words you want.
  • Reverse graffiti: Cleaning dirt or grime off a surface to create words or designs. Because this method doesn’t require paint, it’s much cheaper and more accessible.
  • Stenciling: Made popular by street artist Banksy, this technique involves using paper or cardboard stencils to create clean, precise designs.
  • Sticker bombing: Covering a surface (such as an object or wall) with a huge number of sticks to create a collage effect.
Two orange and black butterflies painted on a colorful graffiti wall with abstract shapes.

Painting the Future: Graffiti’s Cultural Legacy

Having gone from an underground rebellion to a celebrated art form, graffiti is a testament to the power of art. Its existence is proof that, with courage and creativity, anything is possible. That even the most misunderstood forms of self-expression can spark conversations and unite communities. That the future of art is more colorful and expansive than we ever thought possible.

Want to dive deeper into graffiti’s impact on culture? Listen to RISK’s episode of The Team Ignition to hear the inspiring story of this graffiti pioneer: