By: Christina O'Keefe '25
New York City is not just known for piercing skyscrapers, but also for immersive street art. Starting way back in the 60s and 70s, artists started using public spaces, such as city walls, to showcase their creativity. They expressed themselves publicly and shined a light on important social and political issues.
When you think of street art, the first thing that comes to mind could be quite rough as you might think of vandalism or illegal graffiti. While some artists do create their masterpieces without permission, this is not the case for most street artists. Street art includes all sorts of styles and techniques ranging from massive murals, to stencil art, to mosaic tiles. Each piece of street art tells its own story and shows us the incredible talent of these artists.
Street art is more commonly used to better our world. Artists such as Daniel Buren and Darryl McCray used their artistic abilities to positively impact society. They created murals and art pieces that addressed specific social issues, such as drug abuse, racism, and unemployment.
Street art, in particular, is unique due to how unavoidable it is. Ask yourself, could you walk down the streets of New York without seeing any street art? The common answer is no. Even if you are just going on a walk, you are being unconsciously educated. Street art is not just about pretty pictures on walls, but a way for artists to express themselves and make a positive impact on our city. Next time you’re walking around, keep your eyes peeled for street art you may have overlooked.
Sources: Duboski Art/Cornbread the Legend, Photo Image of Einstein Street Art by Christina O'Keefe '25
Edited by: Camilla Torres ‘26, Katarina Radulovic '24 and Ms. Brilliant
Fair Use Disclaimer
The images and contents in this article are under Fair Use: Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act in 1976; Allowance is made for "Fair Use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use.
All rights and credit go directly to its rightful owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Comments