A Brief History of Graffiti

To many, graffiti may seem like a modern form of petty vandalism. A Brief History of Graffiti, however, explains why that descriptor is wrong on all counts. Art historian Dr Richard Clay explores the scribbles humans have carved, drawn, or painted into their surroundings across the world and throughout history, from French cave paintings to Russian messages found in the Reichstag building in Berlin in 1945, and on to modern street art.

Through this historical exploration, Dr Clay argues that cave paintings can be considered an early form of graffiti, that graffiti serves as a form of expression for people who have no other means to express themselves, and that there is an important distinction between vandalism and street art.