On the Graffiti Beat by Terri Cloakey

This is graffiti which I found in Newnan, painted on the side of a pawn shop. It features a tribute to Charlie Chaplin as well as several spray-painted nicknames. I do believe this particular example of graffiti, and even graffiti in general, is most definitely classified as "art". Specifically, I consider graffiti to be a form of folk art. Graffiti is created by established techniques using spray paints- affordable and readily available resources- and is an easily identifiable representation of urban culture as well as hip hop culture. Graffiti, like other folk art, often reflects the social values of local social groups- it can mark the territory of local gangs, depict political stances, or sometimes simply and anonymously showcase the artist's work.