Abstract
Graffiti, while adding vibrancy to spaces, often carries the stigma of illegality due to its unsanctioned nature. Recognizing this complex interplay and the varying public opinions about graffiti, this paper explores the visible and hidden expressions of Durban’s graffiti artists on city walls. The research focuses on how these artists navigate ownership and spatial boundaries in public domains, guided by the central question: How do graffiti artists in Durban reconcile the conflicting dynamics of spatial boundaries and (il)legality in their practice? Using qualitative methods and snowball sampling, five active graffiti artists were interviewed, and their insights were analysed thematically. A key finding is the shifting perception of graffiti from an illegal activity to a more accepted form of public art, as space custodians increasingly allow their walls to be used for graffiti.
Author Information
Kehinde Christopher Adewumi, Durban University of Technology, South Africa
Paper Information
Conference: ECAH2024
Stream: Arts - Visual Arts Practices
This paper is part of the ECAH2024 Conference Proceedings (View)
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To cite this article:
Adewumi K. (2024) Walls, Spray Paint and the Urban Space: The Graffiti Artists of Durban and Their Navigation of Boundaries ISSN: 2188-1111 – The European Conference on Arts & Humanities 2024: Official Conference Proceedings (pp. 51-62) https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2188-1111.2024.6
To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.22492/issn.2188-1111.2024.6
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