Street Art

Have you ever seen a giant painting on the side of a building? That is street art. It includes murals, stencils, and colorful designs painted on walls, fences, and sidewalks. Street art is made for everyone to enjoy for free. It turns gray city walls into outdoor art galleries. Some street artists have become very famous, even though many started by painting without permission.

From Graffiti to Galleries

Street art grew out of graffiti culture in the 1970s and 1980s. Young people in New York City sprayed paint on subway trains and walls. At first, most people thought it was just vandalism. But over time, the art got better and more creative. Artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat started on the streets and ended up in big museums. Today, cities invite artists to paint murals on buildings.

Famous Street Artists

Banksy is one of the most famous street artists in the world. Nobody knows who Banksy really is. Banksy's art often has funny or serious messages about the world. Shepard Fairey made the famous Hope poster. Cities now have street art festivals where artists paint huge murals. Some people travel around the world just to see famous street art. It has become a respected form of art.

Fun Facts

• Nobody knows the true identity of the famous street artist Banksy.
• A Banksy painting once shredded itself right after being sold at an auction for over a million dollars.
• Some cities have street art maps so visitors can take walking tours to see all the murals.

Did You Know?

The longest mural in the world stretches for miles and was painted by many different artists working together!