THE WORLD'S
OUTDOOR CANVAS
Graffiti - Is it street art or vandalism? How artists make their mark in Sheffield
Andy Warhol legitimised a whole new genre and spawned a new generation of young imitators. Drawings on the streets isn’t a new phenomenon. Graffiti has transformed into a whole new urban art movement and public perception appears to have changed.
Art or Vandalism?
The subversive movement still remains unanswered. People advocate graffiti that has an underlying meaning or is visually aesthetic or with political agenda. It becomes vandalism when offensive scrawls appear across buildings but the true essence of graffiti is freedom of expression.
Graffiti by nature, is a vandalistic act, however the fact it is against the law does not detract the artistic process that it has undergone to create it.
Its placement is a key role for its label which is just as important as the piece. Taking graffiti out of the streets loses its charm and character just as it does placing it into a gallery.
Sheffield Street Art
On the edge of the Peak District is an industrial city in the north of England immersed in layers of paint. Sheffield is home to a large creative community with a strong tradition in street art and graffiti. The city with a proud industrial past contains its artistic development on the abandoned and decaying. It continuously thrives as more artists are commissioned and rebellions continue to make their mark.
GEO LAW - Q&A
An illustrator from Sheffield, currently based in London, gives his insight to the artistry life and his perspective on Sheffield’s outdoor canvas.
What’s your opinion on graffiti/street art?
“It's good to have art on the streets (with permission it's even better) but I like the idea of someone leaving their mark in public and if it's good, it warrants attention. When people complain about graffiti they compare it to vandalism which is a valid remark if the graffiti has been made in a negative spirit. Street art has a role to play in inspiring people who can't frequent galleries to see artwork.”
Do you think there is a difference between graffiti and street art?
“Hip hop can be quantified into rap music, grime, gangster rap, trap etc. Street art and graffiti are the same thing but different contexts, styles and different messages. Graffiti artists love tagging, writing letter forms and getting their name out their within that subculture, sometimes there’s even rivalries. I see street art as a form of communication using more image, character and sometimes story.”
Are there any difficulties with expressing art in Sheffield?
“There’s a healthy community in Sheffield where there are spaces and places to host shows and collaborate with others but of course, there could always be more if you walk around Lisbon or Porto in Portugal, you see a lot of places embrace local art with murals and shops.”
What does it mean to be a Sheffield based artist?
“Although it lacks the polish and shine that other cities have, Sheffield is a proud but humble community. I do yearn for more of a frenetic energy atmosphere and movement like London. But you can manoeuvre in Sheffield.”
What do you think is going to be the next art trend/scene?
“I feel the digital art scene is forming its own language.”
What advice would you give to young artists who want to pursue art?
“Be your own artist, explore, play with your work and know that it’s a long game. Always make sure when you make art, you make it for yourself.”
Geo Law
Geo Law
Illustration work produced by Geo Law for Kiehls day
Illustration work produced by Geo Law for Kiehls day
Mural done by Geo Law in Sheffield city centre for the new food market
Mural done by Geo Law in Sheffield city centre for the new food market
Festival themed Illustration by Geo Law
Festival themed Illustration by Geo Law
What Sheffield City Council Say
A member from the Sheffield City Council, Richard Eyre, who overlooks the art commissions said they encourage artists to do more.
"There's a lot more we could do and there are certain areas where it won't work but it's down to the artists to be as creative as they want."
"Tagging is destructive and I would class that as vandalism but we can't stop it from appearing."
