A stenciled piece of graffiti is, to me, a more artisitc approach to the entirety of graffiti itself. It shows artistic ability, commitment, control, passion, and so much more all in one simple picture or set of words. Now, don't get me wrong, but not every thirteen-year-old "gang banger" can draw up a stencil, cut it out with percision, get ahold of some spraypaint, properly mount the stencil to an appropriate area, spray the spray paint evenly throughout and patienly pull away the paper without smearing the image. No, this just doesn't happen. Instead, they will get a black sharpie, if they are lucky, an extra thick sharpie, go into the nearest grocery stores bathroom, and write their newest gang symbol on the inner side of the toilet stall.
Stencils play on shadows, outlines, written word, and silhouettes. Whatever form a stencil is in, it makes you think. It makes the interpreter first interpret what he or she thinks the artist was trying to convey, and second, interpret their own feelings on how he or she feels about the peace. Wherether it be in aggreeance, or utter disgust, majority of the time stenciled art makes people think.
Therefore Stenciling is an art. An art few can do, and many attempt to do...and here is my own personal attempt
Stencils from C215 in Rome, Italy
16 years ago
