Walk through any major city and you'll encounter both graffiti and street art. To the untrained eye, they might seem interchangeable—both appear on walls, both exist outside traditional art spaces. But ask a graffiti writer or street artist, and you'll quickly learn these are distinct cultures with different histories, values, and goals.
A Brief History
Graffiti: The Origins
Modern graffiti emerged in Philadelphia and New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Writers like CORNBREAD, TAKI 183, and STAY HIGH 149 began "tagging"—writing their names on walls, subway cars, and any available surface.
The culture developed its own hierarchy: from simple tags to more elaborate "throw-ups" (quick two-color pieces) to full "pieces" (masterpieces) and "productions" (collaborative walls). Style, can control (spray paint technique), and "getting up" (the quantity and visibility of your work) became measures of respect.
Graffiti was—and often still is—illegal. This wasn't a bug; it was a feature. The risk, the chase, the transgression were part of the appeal.
Street Art: The Evolution
Street art emerged in the 1980s and gained momentum through the 1990s and 2000s. Artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Blek le Rat, and later Banksy, Shepard Fairey, and Invader began using public spaces as galleries—but their goals were different from graffiti writers.
Street artists typically focus on imagery and message rather than letter-based style. They use a wider range of techniques: wheat-pasting, stencils, installations, yarn bombing, stickers, and more. Many seek to communicate with the general public, not just other practitioners.
Key Differences
| Graffiti | Street Art |
|---|---|
| Letter-based (tags, pieces) | Image-based |
| Audience: other writers | Audience: general public |
| Values: style, quantity, risk | Values: concept, message, aesthetics |
| Usually anonymous | Often self-promotional |
| Rarely commissioned | Often commissioned |
| Resistant to commercialization | More open to galleries/brands |
| Primarily spray paint | Mixed media |
The Tension
There's often tension between these worlds. Some graffiti writers view street artists as tourists who appropriated the aesthetic without paying dues or taking real risks. They point out that street artists often work legally, sell to galleries, and collaborate with brands—all things that would get a graffiti writer labeled a "sellout."
On the other side, some street artists view graffiti as vandalism that gives all public art a bad name, or as an insular scene more concerned with ego than communication.
The reality, of course, is more nuanced. Many artists move between both worlds, and the boundaries have blurred over time.
The Intersection
Today, many practitioners exist in a gray zone:
- Former graffiti writers who transitioned to legal muralism (RETNA, RISK, SABER)
- Street artists who incorporate graffiti lettering (FAILE, How & Nosm)
- Hybrid artists who do both illegal and commissioned work
- Muralists who came from neither tradition but work on the same walls
Why Does This Matter?
Understanding the distinction helps you:
- Appreciate the work – Knowing the context deepens appreciation
- Navigate conversations – Using the right terminology shows respect
- Understand the ethics – The debate over commercialization, "selling out," and gentrification is ongoing
- See the evolution – Both forms continue to evolve and influence each other
What About Muralism?
To complicate things further, there's also muralism—large-scale wall paintings that have existed for thousands of years (think Mexican muralists like Diego Rivera, or ancient cave paintings). Contemporary muralism often overlaps with street art, particularly when artists are commissioned to paint building-sized works.
Some artists reject all these labels, preferring "public art" or simply "art."
The Legal Question
One of the biggest practical differences:
- Graffiti is typically illegal (done without permission)
- Street art can be legal or illegal depending on whether the artist has permission
- Murals are almost always legal (commissioned work)
This doesn't make one more "authentic" than another—it's simply a different relationship to legality and risk.
How to Talk About It
Some terminology tips:
- Don't call a graffiti writer a "street artist" unless they identify that way
- "Writer" or "graffiti writer" is preferred over "graffiti artist" by many practitioners
- "Piece" refers to a graffiti work; "mural" typically refers to commissioned work
- When in doubt, just say "work" or "piece"
Exploring Both Worlds
Cities where you can easily see both traditions:
- New York – Birthplace of graffiti; Bushwick/Williamsburg for street art
- Berlin – Both thrive side by side; very permissive culture
- São Paulo – Pixação (local graffiti style) meets international street art
- Melbourne – Famous laneways with both traditions represented
- Miami – Wynwood Walls (street art) plus active graffiti scene
Want to explore street art and graffiti in your city? Check out our Art Trail Maps for curated walking routes.