Graffiti affects economically and psychologically?

Question

If i were to become a graffiti artist, how would that affect me economically? or psychologically? Some people say it's a way of expresing anger, is that true?

Answer 1

Hey Need Help,

Well, some people are angry at Graffiti that pretends to be art. But there is room for positive messages in Graffiti too. It is not always expressing anger.

Answer 2

You probably wouldn't make money. Who is going to buy a tag? (However you might be able to sell photographs of tags, but then you are working in two mediums.)

Graffiti is not usually art--usually it is vandalism that communities scurry to erradicate. It is like a dog pissing to leave it's scent which is probably why people see it as an expression of anger. The small nobody crying out to be heard by the somebodies.

Jean-Michel Basquiat was the famous graffiti artist (you can see a dvd about his life), but he didn't make money tagging on the street. He only made money when he put his art, and his anger against society on a canvas. His use of color was incredible--books don't do justice to his work. I think he may have been the greatest artist of the 20th century. His paintings sold for big bucks while he was alive, and now they go for millions. He died young from a heroin overdose. Go to a museum and check out his paintings.

There are a few Dutch graffiti artists (I call them that because they use spray cans) who do amazing work and have been paid to paint metal doors on wharehouses etc.

If you really want to express anger (and with the state the world is in there is a lot for a young person to be angry about) and make money, do it on canvas. You don't even have to stretch the canvas. Just make something that you can show in a gallery or art shop or street fair and sell.

Answer 3

WOW people calm down...
I started graffiti since I was 12 and heres the thing,
I know many artists who dont only do graffiti they do oil on canvas, sculptures, architecture... It wouldn't affect you economicaly unless you buy too much spray paint but it's like any other hobby, Its art you cant tell me it isnt because look at daim he had the idea to start putting his artwork on t-shirts and now he earns money by doing such things.
Psychologically, for me I feel better after piecing ( spraying ) It's like if you'r angry and want to hit something, just go out and spray. BUT!!! I own my own wall and have friends and people who allow me to do it on theyr property, graffiti isnt just about writing your name or a phrase on the wall I understood that when I was 14 so now I spray 3d, animals, sketching I do art with spray cans.
And by the way a tag is a graffiti artists signature to mark his "turf" or "property" or just to sign a mural
A piece is a graffiti artwork on anything
A throw up are the bubble headed letter that are quickly made to express their names.

Answer 4

i feel that you must be able to look from property owner's view.
the graffiti is on surfaces not owned by the artist.
and the owner is not consenting.
there is a big expense to recover from graffiti (repainting etc.)
what do you feel about a neighborhood that is full of graffiti
as opposed to one that does not have graffiti.
what does that tell you about the neighborhood?
would you stop there to buy groceries or buy a business there?
or would you pick the neighborhood without graffiti and why?
i think it has a big economic impact.
although i also have issues with the whole idea of land/property ownership, i feel that if graffiti artists want to do it, that's great.
get your own buildling and spray away.
i think it's rude to spray on other people's stuff without their permission.
how would you feel if your house or car or clothes were altered by such an artist?
i think it's a better idea to PROVIDE public places where graffiti is allowed.
PS i don't understand graffiti world very well.