Throughout my exhibition and my artistic journey, I have explored the idea of graffiti and its complex relationship with society—questioning whether it is a form of artistic expression or an act of vandalism. Graffiti exists in a liminal space between rebellion and recognition, lawlessness and legitimacy, making it one of the most controversial yet influential art forms of our time.

My initial inspiration came from Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, particularly the mural created by Miles Morales, designed by artist and animator Patrick O’Keefe. This scene resonated with me because it captured the raw energy and personal storytelling that graffiti embodies. It became the spark that led me to investigate the evolution of graffiti, tracing its roots back to old-school legends such as Cornbread, Taki 183, and Dondi, who shaped graffiti into a global movement. I then examined contemporary kings like Taste, Does, and Bates, whose work pushes the boundaries of style, technique, and recognition in the modern art world.

My exhibition challenges the conventional perception of graffiti by taking it beyond its traditional urban setting. Most graffiti in traditional urban settings consists of tagging and throwies, messy and ugly to the common viewer. In my exhibition, I show the colorful, interesting side of graffiti that most people don’t or are unable to see. I show that not all graffiti is bad or ugly, challenge society’s negative view on graffiti, and ask the question: is graffiti vandalism or art?