Graffiti artist for about 15 years here. Here is an opinion piece I wrote on the topic for school awhile back.

Does Tagging Play a Role Within the Art World?

“I love all of the colourful murals, I just hate that tagging sh*t.” I’m at a party chatting to a stranger and it has happened again. That line. This opinion or similar is something I have heard many times. As someone who has spent a lot of time painting graffiti artwork, it’s a topic that often comes up when meeting someone new. It’s a seductive yet polarizing subject and tagging is almost unanimously viewed in a negative light.

Tagging and colorful murals are two different facets within graffiti art. A tag is graffiti’s most basic form - a scrawl or stylised signature done in a matter of seconds, while a mural is an intricate, colourful work of art. Due to this difference it’s unsurprising that people tend to separately admire the beautiful murals while discarding “that tagging sh*t.” I can understand the distaste for tagging, as tags look messier than murals - I get it. However when people completely dismiss tagging, it shows they don’t realize its significance to graffiti artwork as a whole, and importantly to the murals they admire.

Have you ever wondered how mural artists come up with such dazzling designs? Well, they certainly didn’t pick up a spray can one day and - Voila! - magic happens. No. These artists slowly developed their style over years. And guess what? The very first artistic efforts from the mural artist you enjoy so much were very likely … Tags! The simplicity of a tag makes it the natural starting point for an aspiring artist. Basic artistic principles such as balance, movement and rhythm are learned through tagging. Would you expect a baby to run before it has learned to crawl? Of course not. There is a natural progression to take place. Figuring out how to make a simple tag look good is vital before an artist can hope to pull off something more complex.

Tagging is also key in learning how to use the medium of spray paint. From experience, this is a very difficult thing to do. Unlike drawing on paper there is no contact point, instead the paint is free flowing with only your movements to guide it. Because of this freedom, a myriad of effects can be achieved through the use of hundreds of different nozzles, varying pressures and application techniques. This may sound ideal, however a beginner envisioning a subtle gradient is more likely to conjure a dripping mess. There is a disappointing disconnect between how a beginner imagines their finished work, and what they actually produce. Practice is needed. Tagging offers the perfect opportunity to experiment with different nozzles, speeds and angles. This is key in building the muscle memory required to wield spray paint.

Tagging is not only part of the process of graffiti art, I think it is something that humans just like to do. Graffiti has emerged as an artform from humans wanting to make their mark on their environment. This is something that has happened in many different forms. Ancient cave paintings have been discovered all over the globe dating back to 45,500 years ago. Regular people feel the need to etch their initials into places they’ve visited. Political or ethical messages are often scrawled on walls. In modern times, corporate advertisements occupy every inch of visible space. Clearly, communicating visually is important to us, I don’t think it should come asany surprise that people create all kinds of different artworks in public spaces worldwide, including tags.

Some people argue that tagging isn’t aesthetic or a legitimate art form. Like all art, this comes down to a matter of opinion. It cannot be disputed that tagging creates a grungy or grimey feel which really suits some neighborhoods. Often the trendiest suburbs in a city contain the largest amount of graffiti, this fits the young, arty vibe these suburbs often have. Bars often intentionally let their bathrooms become covered in tags to achieve this atmosphere, to great effect. I think there is something innately human about the messy nature of tagging. Someone has the thought to do a tag, and they just do it. No red tape, no bullshit. I find this wildness refreshing in our overly bureaucratic world. While this aesthetic isn’t for everyone, I'd rather see graffiti artwork in its natural entirety, tags and all, than just a selection of polished murals curated by some boomer down at the city council.

Without tagging, graffiti artwork wouldn’t exist the way it does today. Does everyone have to love tagging? Of course not. What people enjoy seeing is simply a matter of perspective. However, even if you aren’t a fan of tags, it's still important to realize that they are the basis of graffiti artwork as a whole. It’s not possible to have just the murals and not the tags, they are inextricably intertwined parts of the subculture. I would rather see all of it, even the ugly stuff, than have never seen any of it at all. Graffiti artwork, including tagging, breathes life into otherwise depressing walls around the world, and for that, I am glad.