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The Rise of Street Art in the Contemporary City

Urban spaces and art have been linked since the dawn of time, beginning with the creation of cave drawings that conveyed narratives of life and froze stories in time, forever. Our way of living is growing more urban-based, with an unstoppable surge for professional glory and public transport accessibility concluding in an inevitable decision made by many young adults: to move to a large city. With attitudes towards work changing, so too comes a change in the way we live and think about living. The appearance of the contemporary city reflects this.

Street art has long been prevalent in cities such as London and Paris, and is now becoming one of the most popular styles of art sold on Singulart. The transition from what was once considered a sociopolitical statement, usually portraying anarchic and anti-establishment messages, to a well-compensated style reflects the evolution of social thought as well as the recognition of rebellious behaviour in our history.

smiley face street art

Street art is art that can be found on walls, vans, windows or any available space within the city, and in the 1900s, this was often found in the less fortunate areas of the city. It commonly involved politically-mobilizing statements or territorial markings, but was also simply a form of expression. Obviously, there was something extremely liberating about marking an off-limits area – a wall or space owned by the very establishment that was enforcing social repression – which is evident in the sharp and very boisterous style that characterizes street art. 

street art by Nasty
SUBWAY MAP #7, 2018 by Nasty

The commodification of this lively, expressive art form has taken place in developing cities for decades now. Thousands of tourists regularly flood to Budapest to enjoy a 700 forint glass of wine, whilst sat in seemingly derelict bars with a fake imminent threat of collapse. Vienna created a designated wall specifically for the obtrusive form of art, in the hope of transporting artists’ desires away from the historical Haussmannian architecture. These are direct ways cities have come to encourage street art. Furthermore, the voices who attempted to vocalise their repressions many years ago, such as Basquiat when he rose to prominence before his death, are now being celebrated by the global population in their own homes, through the acquisition of street art-style artworks.

street art in Colombia
Street art in Colombia by Singulart’s very own WiseTwo.

The recognition of street art in turn recognises the endurance and the overcoming of many communities around the world who have suffered, been silenced and felt marginalized throughout history. Paris is full of street art, and it sits wonderfully alongside delicate architectural spaces that foster an important connection between the vast range of communities that inhabit the city. Urban spaces are incredibly vital to sustain our contemporary way of urban living and by including street art in both public and private spaces, we are able to acknowledge the many influences that concluded in our contemporary consumption of art. 

Street art is one of our most popular styles as it allows you to enjoy the societal development of our cities in the comfort of your own home. So, when you are next walking down a passage, or a graffiti-covered van passes you by, or you enjoy a glass of wine next to your fire and new painting, enjoy reflecting upon the sociopolitical journey that has developed and is sustaining our new way of living.  

art and living combine

Discover street art treasures on Singulart:

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