The Uneasy Coexistence

Artist: Unknown

Medium: Paint and Spray Paint

Location: 340 Perry Street, Across the Field

Today, word-based graffiti remains largely illegal while murals are not only sanctioned by the community, they’re often commissioned by institutions. Street art lies somewhere in between—and includes art that belongs to both types.

The line between graffiti and street art remains hazy. There are many artists who work on either side of the divide. However, the relationship between graffiti and street art is often uneasy. Some graffiti artists view street art as a form of gentrification. It’s not difficult to see how they might reach that conclusion. What began as a voice for the voiceless has evolved into something that’s now so accepted by mainstream society that corporations are happy to sponsor it. 

The two co-exist in the urban environment—sometimes in harmony. But often there are skirmishes at the edges of territory. Put a mural in the wrong spot, and you’ll wake up in the morning to find it’s been thoroughly tagged.

The mural shown above dates from the mid-1990’s and bridges the worlds of street art and graffiti. Aside from one small exception, the work has remained untouched by taggers for three decades—a remarkable show of respect. If you know the identity of the artist responsible for the mural shown above, please contact us at the UB Arts Collaboratory.