Graffiti and street art provide marginalized individuals and communities with a platform to voice their dissent, resistance, and solidarity, especially in communities where other forms of communication may be restricted. Graffiti allows artists to reclaim public spaces and subvert dominant narratives. They serve as visual records of conflicts, capturing the emotions and histories of affected communities, while also offering insights into the dynamics and social contexts of conflicts.
To discuss street art and graffiti, we sat down with John Lennon, a professor and author of the book "Conflict Graffiti: From Revolution to Gentrification." We talked about the transformation of public spaces into sites of resistance, the role walls--and more specifically border walls--themselves play in creating a canvas, and the distinction between street art and graffiti with regards to illegality and broader cultural acceptance.
The conversation also included a discussion about the the use of public space as a gallery and challenges to traditional notions of art and ownership, especially with regards to Black Lives Matter murals and their removal by local authorities.
Listen Here
Unfortunately, the audio for this episode was lost due to technical failures on our editing and recording platform. The episode has not yet been re-recorded, but would appear here. In the mean time, check out John Lennon's book Conflict Graffiti or a converation Lennon had on the Urban Political Podcast.
Thank you for your understanding.
John Lennon
John Lennon is an associate professor of English at the University of South Florida, and the Director of the graduate program for the English Department. His work primarily focuses on how marginalized individuals exert a politicized voice through collectivized actions. In his newest book, Conflict Graffiti: From Revolution to Gentrification, Lennon focuses on manifestations of graffiti throughout different stages of conflict, from pre-conflict expressions to post-conflict transformations, drawing examples from the Israeli Seperation Wall to the Black Lives Matter movement in Ferguson.
To find more information about John Lennon or his work, visit his website.