INFOGRAPHIC: A Graffiti Glossary

Street art. Tags. Bombs. Graffiti: The much vilified, sometimes appreciated, often misunderstood art form. One thing’s for sure, it’s always a controversial and polarizing topic. There are those who get it and those who don’t, those who love it and those who hate it. Shop owners who find it an unwelcome blight and shop owners who embrace it as something to be proud of. The argument could go on until the end of time, and it’s unlikely that people of either mindset will ever fully see eye-to-eye.

A possible explanation for this could be that, for better or for worse, it IS an art, an expression of something. From the scummiest etched glass tag or mopped ink blot to the most beautiful crew production or destructive fire extinguisher piece, it’s all built on shape, line, form, colour, composition, and to a further extent, intent, messaging, and creative process. Not all graffiti will excel in all areas, but it’s all built on the same principles. And like all art, it’s subjective. Most might look at a modern work of art, or a minimalist canvas, and wonder “how is that art?” It’s only after one actively engages in educating themselves as to how this object came to be that they might find something to appreciate in it. Far too many folks come to a conclusion about graffiti without really knowing anything about it. Opinions are formed based on the fact that since you can see it in front of you, you can paint an entire culture with one large sloppy brush. This certainly isn’t a healthy way of thinking in most cases across the board, and that’s where the graphic comes in. Consider it a primer to set you on your way!

Bombing is defined by an artist getting their work up as much as possible, and as such usually consists of faster, more simplistic forms of graffiti. This can include “simple” signatures or tags - pieces rendered with one consistent line (one-liners), and throw-ups or bombs - big pieces often painted in bubble letters using one or two colours.

Trains are where modern-era graffiti got its start. Artists in New York City in the late 1970s started using subways as giant, moving canvasses; a way to let their message be seen city-wide and gain recognition. Top-to-bottoms and end-to-ends describe pieces that cover the side of a train car from (you guessed it) top to bottom or end to end, respectively. All of the types on walls began on (and are still executed on) trains.

Nowadays, large detailed work is more commonly legal. You’re just as likely to see pieces and wildstyles (large, colourful, detailed lettering often camouflaged and stylized beyond clear legibility) in a gallery as on the street. Productions, which are often characterized by large scale crew murals, are commissioned on store walls and landmark locations in major cities more and more each passing day.

Open image in a new tab to view larger.