Graffiti Art History

Graffiti is a unique method of writing and drawing that is often seen in big cities throughout the United States and elsewhere. When graffiti began several people thought that this new method of writing and drawing destroyed their neighborhoods and viewed it as an act of vandalism. However, there were a number of people who considered graffiti as a method of expressing one's feelings and opinions, as well as a form of art. Graffiti is a form of talent that first originated in Philadelphia in the early 1960s. This modern-day way of writing and drawing is often credited to a Black teenager nicknamed CORNBREAD. According to Jeff Chang's reading this teenager "is credited with popularizing the tagging of the Philly subways, was trying to attract the attention of a beauty named Cynthia" (Chang 74). During this time, CORNBREAD's close friend and companion TOP CAT moved to Harlem, New York and introduced this contemporary day movement to the people of New York. This paved the way for other graffiti artists to emerge throughout New York. One of the first artists in New York was a Puerto Rican adolescent whom went by the tag name JULIO 204. "The number was the street he hailed from" (Chang 74). This teenager was a member of the Hispanic

TAKI 183 used markers and spray paint as well to tag his name all over New York City. He is considered one of the first graffiti artists and the father of this contemporary development. During "the summer of 1970, TAKI 183's tags seemed to explode across the city" (Chang 75). Unlike JULIO 204's that were only found in his local community. As TAKI 183 tags became more popular he began gaining the attention of the media. "By summer 1971 the appearance of the mysterious message “Taki 183” had sufficiently aroused the curiosity of New Yorkers to lead the New York Times to send one of its reporters to determine its meaning" (Castleman