Graffiti Stenciling: An Art Of Ideas

People have different ways of expressing themselves. Some people sit at a corner and cry their heart out if they are depressed. Other people become silent when they are in a depressed state. When people are happy, they tend to be overjoyed and tell the world of their happiness. People have different personalities that they have their own way of expressing themselves. Doing an art work is one way of expressing feelings like depression and happiness. Stenciling is a form of art where people can express themselves by doing their own designs.

Stenciling traces backs it' roots to the era of the caveman where no technology was present. The cavemen must have used the natural resources afforded to him by mother earth. Hand stencils and evidences of leaves stencils were discovered in certain areas and dated back to this period. More than just doodling on the caves and leaves, the early stencil patterns are patterns that helped archaeologists and historians in determining important facts about the life in the Prehistoric Era.

Stenciling has proliferated in many different countries and has taken different forms. One form of stenciling is stenciling graffiti. When people hear the word graffiti, their common notion is that it is vandalism and it is against the law. Nonetheless, stencil graffiti has established its name as an art and has a big following.

This kind of stenciling utilizes paper, cardboard and other things to produce a picture or words that are reproduced easily. After drawing a design in the medium, the design is cut out and moved to a facade by using spray paint or roll on paint. Here are few things to consider when you are thinking of doing a graffiti stencil.

1.) Think of your purpose and motivation in doing the stencil graffiti. Understand your motivation so that you will have more expression and more emotion in your graffiti.

2.) Select a method to make stencil designs.

3.) Think of an image that will best represent your thoughts.

Stencil graffiti artists are people who represent their thoughts, emotions and principles. Oftentimes, people who use stencils in doing graffiti comes form the various social institutions. These institutions include the education, church and even the government. Activists and radicals use this form of stenciling to convey their ideas and protests. With the use of graffiti, people might be attracted to join in their advocacies and campaigns.

Stenciling graffiti have become a sub culture in most parts of the world. It is highly recognized as a form of art. Nonetheless, there are still countries which prohibit this stenciling art because they consider it as vandalism.

Stenciling art is not merely an art that expresses messages, ideologies and principles but it is more of calling the attention of others to the issues of their country. Graffiti are seen in streets and walls in different countries. Some government prohibits this art because of the messages that are written in the walls.

Stenciling graffiti is a very powerful medium where activists and nationalists alike can voice out their opinions. It is a good way to call the attention of the government or some organization. Most of stenciled graffiti talk about change. Most graffiti artists are also against the government and wants reform.

Nonetheless, it is safe to say that stenciling graffiti is not merely an art but rather a catalyst for change.

Graffiti Stenciling And Great Artists

Art is one way of expressing one's selves. There are different art forms that provide people with the avenue to express themselves. Paintings, photographs and sculptures are the product of many artists that want to express themselves. The strokes, colors and images shown in these artworks are manifestations of the artists' characters. Another art form that provides people with a venue for expression is stenciling.

Stenciling is a form of art that has originated from the Prehistoric Era. There are evidences of stencil patterns in caves and leaves. There were also rumors that Eskimos used perishable materials in stenciling. Stenciling art was uplifted by many cultures and many technological advances.

Stenciling has different forms. The forms and kind of stenciling include wall stenciling, furniture stenciling, aerosol stencils, nanostencils and graffiti stencils. Wall stenciling includes decorating room walls and house surfaces. It is primarily used as decoration in households. Wall stenciling is also a bonding activity for family members.

Graffiti stenciling is a form of stenciling that has attracted many artists. Even before stenciling was discovered as an art, graffiti has been used by people. People often view graffiti as an eyesore. Graffiti is also considered as vandalism. Many artists have succeeded in expressing their ideas through graffiti.

Graffiti stenciling uses stencil patterns in designing walls, streets and surfaces. These stencil designs are normally seen in areas where people pass by and can internalize the messages in the graffiti. These art works often comes with slogans. These art works tackle issues in politics, culture and ethics.

One of the pioneers of using stencils in graffiti is Blek le Rat. He was born in 1952 on Boulogne- Billancout in Paris. He devoted his time in studying painting and architecture. Blek began painting in 1981. He has continued painting since then and had influenced many artists that have followed his tracks.

Blek particularly influenced graffiti and guerilla art movements. He has also influenced Bansky. Bansky was quoted as saying,

'Every time I think I've painted something slightly original, I find out that Blek Le Rat has done it as well, only twenty years earlier'.

Bansky is also a big name in graffiti stenciling. Although his identity is not totally disclosed, he was able to establish his name through his pseudo name. He has painted many stencil patterns on walls and streets. He doesn't sell his artworks and also doesn't hold exhibits like other artists. Bansky's artworks are said to talk about political ideologies.

Blek and Bansky are two of the greatest graffiti artists who have used stenciling. They have utilized stencils as ways of expressing their political ideologies and messages. There are still many artists who have excelled in the field of stenciling yet their achievements have not been highlighted.

There are no known awards giving bodies that give awards to stenciling artists. These artists remain anonymous. Graffiti stenciling artists tend to conceal their identity because of the slogans that their art works contain. These artists continue to hide their identities because their lives could be put in danger.

Stenciling is an art that has provided many advantages to the human race. It has provided the families with bonding activities. It has given individuals the power to create their own stencil designs and use these designs in different ways. Moreover, stenciling has given individuals the power to talk through their art works.