From the walls of Pompeii to the Chauvet caves, graffiti has played many roles in history. Lost in the cacophony of the debate over whether graffiti is art or vandalism is that the graffiti subculture has come to inspire such a diversity of young people.
In Iran, where visual and conceptual art is under widespread state censorship,Iranian graffiti artist, Black Hand hopes to break the habit of confining his pieces. Attempting to prove the power of an individual, Black Hand has used street walls in Iran for protest. Before the 1979 Revolution, “Down with the Shah” became an exceedingly familiar mural as revolutionaries won momentum for the Shah’s overthrow. Today, only state-sponsored graffiti and paintings are tolerated by Iranian authorities. Due to these laws, Black Hand has felt compelled to remain anonymous. Though Black Hand’s work may be seen as a means of protest, it’s actually is a way to find peace. The artist claims that the goal of their art is solely to communicate with other humans and to expressing issues in the country. Continuing to reflect on political and social events, Black Hand uses graffiti to capture the times while exposing the difficulties of the country.
Luckily, over the past decade Iran has experienced a rise in popularity of graffiti. Technology has given graffiti artists a way to collaborate and present their artwork worldwide. Today, artists are even trying to sell graffiti to a fine art audience. In the 2000s, many local governments created programs to add artistic elements to their cityscape through graffiti. Adding these programs has changed the public’s negative view on graffiti. A popular Iranian graffiti artist named Ghalamdar says that fewer people look down on him when he has a spray can in his hand. When he first started painting, he would ask the community for permission to practice his art, but now he feels more confident about its acceptance.Ghalamdar is a unique graffiti artistic in Iran because he is inspired by the calligraphic styles and miniature paintings of the 20th century. When colonial powers started to force their culture on Middle Eastern countries in the 19th century, there was a revival of calligraphy and miniature painting in the attempt to keep their culture alive. His use of these old cultural traditions mixed with modern graffiti styles has made him well renowned in Iran.Today, the debate is whether graffiti has to be done on the streets alone. Ghalamdar believes that street art has opened up its boundaries, but the essence of it should stay the same.
Similar to Iran, graffiti has also given an opportunity to take back the neighborhoods and cities of Syria, after they were taken over by the the regime of Bashar and Hafez al-Assad and most recently, Quran extremists of ISIS. Shera’, meaning “The Street”, is a young activist group in northern Syria in the small town of Kafr Nabl. They’re demonstrating to the world that graffiti is much more than vandalism. In fact, graffiti has served a significant purpose to the current political repression in Syria than anyone could have expected. Shera’ is attempting to spread their ideas and beliefs against ISIS by spraying quotes from the Quran in order to show rebellion against the terrorist group. In addition, this young activist group has shown the world that standing up for what you believe in doesn’t require violence or weapons. Shera’ has accomplished great things with the use of a spray can instead of a weapon.
Though graffiti serves as a way to fight against the extremists in Syria, it has provided a “tagging resistance” for the Palestinians in the Occupied West Bank. The intifada use it as a strategy of public communication, and with strict enforced curfews, it is not easy to spread these messages. However, these simple acts of resistances provide inspiration for a collective uprising via symbols and murals. In addition, the walls of Palestine have become an international destination for graffiti artists which has taken the voices away from some of the local artists trying to inspire change, but graffiti’s purpose is far less about aesthetics than it is about prominence and inspiration for the people. For that reason, the designs of Palestinian people tend to be more simplistic and symbolic.
Throughout the world, graffiti artists are using the walls of their cities as a canvas. Whether it’s to protest for peace, expose social issues or to solely communicate with other citizens of the nation, graffiti has served as a significant means of expression. Though authorities in certain places in the middle east are tightening up censorship, the artists and citizens are finding the positive aspects of the art form.
To read more about Black Hand in Iran click here
For more Ghalamdar and to see some examples of his unique style click here
For more on Syria click here
More on Palestine/Israel