Graffiti or street painting is an art that is usually painted on the wall. It is most often made with spray paint, which comes in a can. Some people use real paint to make their art. Some people consider it a big, beautiful and colourful artwork while others think it a mess that makes our towns and cities look untidy. In Dhaka city, we often come across notices requesting not to write on the wall or paste posters. Despite the fact, graffiti works are getting popular in the city. From someone's name on a wall to a large mural, wall writings and paintings are becoming a new trend in our neighbourhoods.
Graffiti often has a social or political message which it shows in pictures or words or both. A famous British graffiti artist called Banksy creates street-art with very clear messages for society. A few years ago, a series of graffiti works with several messages were spotted in various places of Dhaka city. However, such street paintings are no longer seen in the city. And we do not even know whether this kind of graffiti work is illegal or not. In my view, cities should have some 'free walls' where artists can paint.
Badsha Faysal,
Jurain, Dhaka,
badshafaysal1998@gmail.com