Graffiti is a form of art, painting or writing that is mainly done on walls. It is a form of street art and has been around for centuries.
Generally, graffiti artists use spray paint or stencils to create their works. It is often an expression of dissent, asking difficult questions and expressing political concerns.
A lot of creativity is needed to create a good piece of graffiti art. The artist needs to be able to plan the painting, understand how to use colors and know how to compose a composition.
Some graffiti artists are very talented and can do intricate designs. Some of them even cover entire buildings with their calligraphic styles.
To discourage graffiti, parks should have a strong anti-graffiti policy and provide a number of ways to deter people from tagging. For instance, a weatherproofing sheet plastic that can be purchased from hardware stores will help prevent graffiti on signs and bulletin boards. Murals, especially those painted by local artists, can also discourage graffiti.
Murals can also be a way to engage the community in the maintenance of the park. For example, a park manager might solicit the local high school to paint a mural each year.
During the 1980s, graffiti and street art became global and collaborated with other forms of art. Movies and books on New York City subcultures spread the genre all over the world, and more high-brow art shows helped graffiti become an internationally recognized movement.