Collage Vs Graffiti Similarities And Differences

Collage is a visual art form that uses many juxtaposed materials to create a work of art. Being a very old art form, collage has been around for centuries. Some of the materials used in creating a collage are wood, paper, plastic, glass, buttons,  textiles and even metals. The art form is often associated with the modernist movement; however, many ancient civilizations utilized collage as well. Collage is an independent art form created by taking elements from different sources and combining them to create a new work of art. Most collages are spontaneous creations since the artist gathers the elements he wants to use on the spot. Artists who specialize in collage are called collagists. A collage can be either 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional since it can be created in multiple media at once. For example, a collage artist could create a piece using digital  / physical media [such as cut outs from a magazine] as well as handmade elements.

Street Collage Example

Both collage and graffiti have many similarities when compared to other arts forms. For one, both are non-realistic art styles that use multiple materials to create works of art. Collage is an old form of artistic expression that has survived through many decades thanks to its versatility and popular culture acceptance. In fact, many celebrities have been featured in magazines posing with pieces they've created themselves via collage. However, when it comes to graffiti, critics have called this form of artistic expression 'lurking,' 'sneaking,' or 'stooping' since these are the supposed methods used by graffiti artists to create works for public consumption.

Fashion / magazine style collage

Despite being considered artistic expression by many, collages and graffiti have a long history of being considered criminal art by others. Some say that both art forms were created by people who lacked proper artistic training in order to express their feelings or add personality to their works- but were deemed unacceptable by society at large due to their criminal nature. I find that really strange to be honest.

Graffiti in the UK [Birmingham City]

Whether it be through social shaming or legal means, many creative individuals have been persecuted for creating pieces outside the acceptable limits of modernism and postmodernism. As such, those who create criminal art often face harsh criticism from society at large due to their non-conforming nature. Both are interesting art forms that are covered in popular culture more and more these days. They have earned their place in human history for millennia.

More from the UK [Bromford Bridge]

Despite being accepted as artistic expressions by some and condemned as vandalism by others, collage and graffiti are two independent forms of artistic expression that appeal to very different kinds of people, and have survived and evolved for many years thanks to their almost cult-like followings in the last few decades, versatility and raw nature.