From Subway Cars to Canvas - From Vandalism to Art: The Explosive Growth of Graffiti in the 80s

(Source: Unsplash).

Part 1: The Evolution of Graffiti in the 80s Graffiti has been around since the beginning of time, etched on cave walls or scribbled on papyrus. But it wasn't until the 80s that it truly began to flourish as a form of urban art. In the streets of New York City, young artists took spray paint to walls and subway cars, creating bold and colorful pieces that would inspire a generation.

Graffiti on a Subway train. (Source: Unsplash).

The origins of 80s graffiti can be traced back to the subway art movement in New York City. Artists would sneak into train yards at night to paint whole subway cars, using vibrant colors and intricate designs. This was a form of rebellion against the system and the establishment, as well as a way to gain recognition and respect from their peers.

Graffiti on walls. (Source: Unsplash).

The 80s were a time of great social and political change in America. The economy was in turmoil, the crack epidemic was sweeping the nation, and hip-hop culture was on the rise. Graffiti became a way for young people to express themselves and their frustrations with the world around them.

Run DMC: Streets of New York, circa 1985. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Graffiti was no longer just about vandalism, it had become a legitimate art form. Artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring became famous for their graffiti-inspired paintings, and graffiti crews like the Rock Steady Crew and the Wild Style Technicians gained a following.

Jean-Michel Basquiat graffiti. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

The 80s also saw the rise of graffiti as a commercial enterprise. Companies like Adidas and Nike began to commission graffiti artists to design clothing and shoes, while galleries started to exhibit graffiti art. This was controversial among graffiti purists, who saw it as selling out, but it also helped to legitimize the art form and bring it to a wider audience.

One of the most famous graffiti artists of the 80s was Futura 2000. He began his career as a subway graffiti artist, but soon moved on to canvas and gallery work. His style was characterized by bold, futuristic designs and a unique use of color. He collaborated with other artists, such as the Clash and the Beastie Boys, and his work became a symbol of the 80s underground art scene.

Beastie Boys at Club Citta, Kawasaki, Japan, September 1992. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Another influential artist was Lady Pink, one of the few female graffiti artists in a male-dominated field. Her work often depicted strong women and social issues, and she was known for her use of vibrant colors and intricate details. She was featured in the seminal graffiti documentary "Style Wars" and her work is still celebrated today.

Lady Pink leaning on her art work. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

The 80s were a time of experimentation and boundary-pushing in the world of graffiti. Artists were not content to simply tag their names on walls, but instead pushed the limits of what was possible with spray paint. They created murals, sculptures, and installations that transformed the urban landscape and inspired a new generation of artists.

High-rise graffiti in New York. (Source: Unsplash).

As the decade drew to a close, graffiti began to lose some of its rebellious edge. It became more mainstream, and some artists moved on to other mediums or abandoned the scene altogether. But the impact of 80s graffiti can still be felt today, in the vibrant street art that adorns cities around the world, and in the careers of artists who got their start in the subways and alleyways of New York City.

Keith Haring at work in the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, 14th of March 1986. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Part 2: The Controversy Surrounding Graffiti in the 80s Despite the growing popularity and recognition of graffiti as an art form in the 80s, it remained a controversial and polarizing subject. Many saw it as nothing more than vandalism and a blight on the cityscape, while others saw it as a legitimate form of self-expression. The authorities were firmly in the former camp. Graffiti was illegal, and the city of New York launched a crackdown on graffiti artists in the mid-80s. They began to use new technology, such as surveillance cameras and anti-graffiti coatings, to try to stamp out the problem.

Graffiti on a subway car on the Lexington Avenue Line in New York City. In 1973 transit authority police arrested more than 1,400 persons for such an offense. In 1974 it was more than 2,000 offenders. Very few cars in the 232-mile subway system were free of graffiti despite a program of constant maintenance and repainting. The New York City transit authority system carried out 47 percent of the city work force in 1970. Photo from july 1974. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

The crackdown was not without controversy, however. Many saw it as an attack on the freedom of expression, and a way for the authorities to further marginalize already marginalized communities. Graffiti had always been associated with inner-city neighborhoods and minority groups, and the crackdown was seen by many as a way to silence those voices. At the same time, the commercialization of graffiti was causing its own set of problems. Some artists felt that they were being exploited, and that their work was being co-opted by corporations and galleries for profit. Others felt that the very act of commercializing graffiti was an affront to its rebellious and anti-establishment origins.

Graffiti, Secret Walls Gallery in Stuttgart. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

The controversy surrounding graffiti in the 80s came to a head with the 1989 exhibition "Street Art: Graffiti and Beyond" at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. The exhibition was intended to showcase the best of graffiti and street art, but it was met with protests and outrage from both sides of the debate.

On one hand, graffiti purists felt that the exhibition was a betrayal of the movement, and that the art had been sanitized and co-opted by the mainstream. On the other hand, some saw the exhibition as a way to bring graffiti into the mainstream and give it the recognition it deserved.

“I laugh at the way some people think graffiti is all selfish tagging and vandalism. Thoughtful street art is like good fiction – it speaks out on behalf of everyone, for us all to see.”

Carla H. Krueger

The controversy surrounding graffiti in the 80s is still felt today. Graffiti remains illegal in most places, and there is still a debate about whether it is a legitimate form of art or simply vandalism. However, the impact of graffiti on the art world and popular culture cannot be denied. The bold colors and designs of 80s graffiti have influenced everything from fashion to graphic design, and the rebellious spirit of the movement lives on in the work of street artists around the world.

Graffiti in Shoreditch, London - Back to the 80s by Graffiti Life. Photo from 2013. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).

Part 3: The Legacy of 80s Graffiti The legacy of 80s graffiti can be seen in the work of contemporary street artists and in the continued debate over the legitimacy of graffiti as an art form. But it can also be seen in the broader cultural impact of the movement.

One of the most significant legacies of 80s graffiti is its influence on hip-hop culture. Graffiti and hip-hop were closely intertwined in the 80s, with many graffiti artists also being part of the burgeoning rap scene. The bold, colorful aesthetic of graffiti influenced everything from album covers to fashion, and the rebellious spirit of the movement resonated with hip-hop fans around the world.

(Source: Unsplash).

The influence of 80s graffiti can also be seen in the world of fashion. Brands like Adidas and Nike began to incorporate graffiti-inspired designs into their clothing and shoes, and the vibrant colors and bold designs of graffiti became a fixture of streetwear.

But perhaps the most lasting legacy of 80s graffiti is its impact on contemporary art. Graffiti has gone from being a marginalized and underground art form to being celebrated in galleries and museums around the world.

“Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the world a better looking place.”

Banksy, Wall and Piece

Artists like Banksy and Shepard Fairey have built careers on the back of their graffiti-inspired work, and the once-maligned art form has now become a respected part of the cultural mainstream.

Rage, Flower Thrower (2003), stencil and spray by Banksy. Belém, Palestina. (Source: Wikimedia Commons).