#09 Graffiti - like cartoon, but not.

I have explored creative expression on paper, online and on cardboard but now we've come to the greatest canvas of all- the world. Cheesy, I know but I think of them all, graffiti can often be the most vibrant and expressive of all modern art expressions of religion. I'm not condoning vandalism of course, and occasionally you see clumsily written things where people have thought it would be clever and 'cool' to write their name on a wall in spray paint... like, really?

Anyway religion can sometimes be frustrating both for insiders and outsiders of it. Whether that be because of the rest of the world, whether it be religiously political, or even just an inner struggle. It is fair to say that graffiti (like most art) can definitely be a silent and calming output or a place to express their views loudly and brightly.

Following on from Blog #08, there is a very relevant issue.
In Palestine, there is a controversial wall put up by Israel separating the territories. According to 'Against the Wall: The Art of Resistance in Palestine', it basically makes Palestinians 'refugees in their own land'. The wall is there to essentially not allow Palestinians to flourish or prosper in any way- economically or spiritually without any access to the relevant spaces. Palestinian land owners even have to apply for 'visitor permits' to access their own lands. It is for this reason that William Parry accuses them of using it as a method for 'ethnic cleansing'. There are many among the Jewish religious community who oppose this Zionism on a religious basis claiming it completely contradicts any ethical religious traditions... personally, I do not think any religion would ever advocate this behaviour either, and if it did it would not have any moral standards worth adhering to.

Here are some examples of this expression on the wall:

 

This ones needs no explanation (pardon pun)...  literally simply an expression of religious belief through graffiti

                                                     'For those who believe in 
                                                     ''God'' no explanation is necessary, 
                                                     for those who don't...
                                                     no explanation is possible'

...As is (but a tad less sophisticatedly so)

... And it's not always deep, sometimes its just a positive friendly message to brighten up an empty space

(QOTD: In an increasingly secular society, do you think it'll be less acceptable/accepted to have religious graffiti such as above? Should messages in public spaces always be applicable to everyone? )

Its also not always from the major religions... Sometimes its just about spirituality that can apply to everyone.

'An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind'

or 

'No Struggle... No Progress'

'Value life More than Money'

.... And who said you can only graffiti one religion or spirituality at a time?

Ahhh... uplifting. Of course there are negative examples of graffiti as well- but that is what comes with freedom of expression always I suppose. Let me know what you think of the QOTD though. I find it very enlightening to see such outward expressions of inner thoughts and examples like my examples show how graffiti can bring a community together or divide it, question an authority or give moral advice by the simple act of cleverly painting a wall.