Urban landscapes have changed dramatically over the last fifty years, and in many cities graffiti and street art have integrated fully into the fabric of cityscapes. Amidst the hustle and bustle of urban life, it's easy to overlook the intricate tags and sprawling lettering that adorn the walls around us.
But one thing’s for sure — street and graffiti artists have gone beyond mere vandalism. They have emerged as catalysts of change, reshaping not just the city walls, but also our collective consciousness. Through their art, they reclaim public spaces and empower communities, offering a poignant commentary on societal issues and sparking conversations that resonate far beyond city limits.
A very brief history of street art
Street art is an ever-evolving genre of art that found its origins in New York in the 1970s. Artists at the time took to the streets with markers and spray paints to create murals as never before seen in urban settings. Since its inception, street art has always had a socio-political edge, with artists such as Keith Haring and Jean Michel Basquiat using their craft to react against oppression and state powers. Injecting their sense of individuality and creativity onto walls, subways, trains, and buildings, Haring and Basquiat’s success gave street art credibility and bridged the gap between the street and museums and galleries.
But Basquiat and Haring were only the beginning — as their infamy grew, a group of young and rebellious artists found inspiration in their work, and were ready to take to the streets themselves. This kickstarted the development of graffiti in the late 1980s and 90s, a style which then developed into what we know today as street art. These artists were highly experimental, working with new techniques that made use of stencils, posters, stickers, and installations. The aesthetic of graffiti art has infiltrated studio artworks, with street artists remaining unapologetic in their imaginative self-expression and political commentary.
At Artfinder, we are thrilled to showcase renowned street artists celebrating their unique approaches to transforming both public spaces and artworks on a smaller scale, defying authorities to push socio-political issues into the forefront of day-to-day society, and giving people the power to contribute to positive change.
1. Kev Munday
At the age of 16, Kev Munday began painting city walls and leaving stickers, paste-ups and other markings on street furniture. It wasn't until a few years later that a fellow artist suggested he transfer his artwork onto canvas and he found an instant attraction to the surface. Building upon the style he had been developing in his street work, Kev continued to work with spray paint and markers, using the vivid colours and bold lines that are still present in his work to date. He’s been an Artfinder artist since 2013, and we’re so lucky to have watched his creative journey over the years!
In November 2017, we commissioned Kev to produce a large mural as a part of our “Power to the Artist” campaign, and he even joined our CEO at the time, Michal, to discuss life as an artist and offer advice for fellow creatives on live TV! The mural was executed entirely with spray paint and can be seen by trains pulling into and out of London Waterloo Station.
2. Copyright
Copyright is a graffiti artist based in the UK known for his distinctive urban stencil style. Copyright's art combines traditional subjects with contemporary art techniques, fusing together the old and the new. Copyright uses stencils to create his base image, and then adds depth and texture with spray paint and a brush.
Copyright’s striking work often focuses on strong women, surrounded by iconic symbolism, yet his bold graffiti style adds an element of brutality to his artwork. Whilst studying photography he was creating paintings by making stencils out of his own photographs, and later he took to the streets to use the walls of the city as his canvas. Before long, his work was discovered by art collectors and gallerists and his paintings have now been exhibited all over the world, from London to Tokyo.
'Rebuild' began life as a mural Copyright painted in his home city of Bristol. The original meaning behind the piece was the idea of physical and mental recovery. The artwork features the well-known street art motif of a brick wall, alongside a commanding female face, surrounded by symbolic motifs that embody the title of the piece.
3. Donk
Donk is a prolific anonymous street artist based in London, UK, who pastes images onto the streets of London and beyond. Donk plays with their own personal experiences and the process of growing up in their work, drawing inspiration from the passing of time and storybooks.
Donk’s artwork often draws on their own family members and friends, in conjunction with urban culture and history. Donk describes their work as creating a feeling of “something sincere but ultimately entertaining.” They juxtapose vulnerability and strength, with contemporary issues and nostalgia. A further source of inspiration is their experience into parenthood, with their son as a familiar subject in their artwork.
‘Synthesizer’ is a hand-pulled screenprint with 7 colour spray paint and gold leaf drips on 310 gsm acid-free Tan paper. Donk has said of the artwork, "Since I was a kid I’ve been a fan of the look and sound of the synthesiser. Though I’ve never actually owned one, a lot of the music I enjoy listening to across various genres has employed the Synth in some way or another. I’m also fascinated by the idea of Synesthesia, that there can be a direct correlation between sounds, colours and shapes. I can definitely relate to this idea, and so this image was an expression of these two themes."
4. Gemma Compton
Gemma Compton is an artist, illustrator and fashion designer based in Bristol where it won’t be difficult for you to spot one of her iconic murals. Compton’s incredible portraiture ability combines with her distinctive urban art style, creating truly breathtaking contemporary artworks which primarily deal with themes of love, life, loss, and the beauty of nature. Her work brings popular culture together with the art historical motifs such as flowers and skulls which serve as “memento mori, reminders of the fleeting nature of life.
'Force of Nature' is available as a limited edition print on Artfinder. "This is a modern day still life," Gemma says of the piece. "I am a really sneaker head — I love trainers. I painted these Air Force 1s from a real pair in my studio but I built up fantastical elements around the shoe. I wanted to show the authority and strength that a piece of clothing can empower on a wearer. And the play on words as the title does this really well too."
5. Hannah Adamaszek
Hannah Adamaszek is a painter and muralist currently residing in the south of Spain. "I love painting big, using my whole body and soul to paint. I want to help transform spaces, making them one of a kind and personal to people. They make an immediate impact and create a talking point for years to come."
An Artfinder artist since 2014, Hannah has been creating beautiful murals inside homes and for businesses for many years. We love the delicate style with which she depicts women and spirituality.
"It's time to look within and shine bright. She sits in total peace with herself and radiates light and positivity." 'Let there be light' is a mixed-media painting on a hand stretched canvas, which comes ready to hang.
Header image: "Graffiti Rush" by Andrew Lever
