ABSTRACT
Graffiti and its more recent incarnation as Street Art are critiqued in this chapter, which draws on the growing multi-disciplinary literature on this subject, underpinned with visual examples of graffiti and street art in several countries and cities. The commissioning and legitimation of graffiti are discussed in the context of place branding, festivals and the growing adoption of street art in galleries and auction houses. The differing treatment of graffiti in cities and among police and other agencies is highlighted. The paradox of illegal graffiti (e.g. Banksy), its removal and then sale/re-sale in the art market is analysed from these different perspectives.
