From pre-historic cave paintings or children with coloured pencils, to actual artists or bored teenagers with spray paint and a lack of something better to do, the marks we leave behind are everywhere. And I, as I am a victim of my own sentimentality, want to preserve these little traces people leave behind of themselves. Honouring that, I take you through my personal collection of photographed graffiti.

An underpass in Stavanger, in an area where graffiti reigns supreme. The top quote is part of the work from Martyn Reed. Photo: Emma Francke Husebø/PRESSET.

Disregarded and called vandalism by some, celebrated as art by others, graffiti is at the end of the day someone somewhere who wanted to say something. (See the endless “I was here” markings on bathroom stalls or back-alley walls.) Some of the photos in this article are taken of actual street art, but most are “nothing more” than (often nonsensical) scribblings. They may not carry the same power or get the same recognition as actually artistic expressions or political messaging, but they make me smile, and they’re the ones i tend to remember.

Now, just as graffiti is a form of bringing art to the masses and the streets, I am bringing you art (my photos) from my (phones photo-) gallery, to you (the people) on the streets (the digital pathways that make the internet). Enjoy.

ACTUAL ART
Stavanger has been called the “the Street Art capital” of Norway. NuArt, founded by Martyn Reed, a street art festival held annually in the city since 2001, has with the municipality stood for much of the development of the city’s

Having commissioned artists of all kinds of mediums, the city has transformed the streets from gray and dull, to a living walkable art exhibition. The photos shown here are all taken by me throughout my years of sauntering about town. But the works are made by a multitude of artists from all over the world. (See a list here).

SOCIAL COMMENTARY AND DEBATE

Taken from the streets of Stavanger, Bergen and Paris, and toilets of Oslo student societies, every surface has space for communication. Or, in the case of the ones from Paris and Oslo, for debate!

The Parisian graffiti is too faded to tell apart all the arguments, but the debate on whether God is “Back”, “Real”, or “Dead” prevails.

Oslo students’ bathroom breaks seemingly also make time for the assessment of moral dilemmas.

On one of my first nights as a new Bergen resident many years ago during “late-stage covid” I had to have a giggle at the alliteration of the two “C-worded viruses”.

Lastly, as I am a sucker for irony, I must admit that “formueskatt LOL” (wealth tax) on what (you can’t see, but I promise) is a massive house, takes the cake for me.

GOOD OL’ TOMFOOLERY

Before we have our fun, I must make it clear that PRESSET. does not condone vandalism of public property, or throwing rocks at policecars! Though I do enjoy the utilisation of toilet stall walls for writing poetry. There might not be much to say for these photos, but I love their whimsical nature and the good old fun. While I, again, can’t condone painting on public property without permission, I can encourage taking inspiration form tile “nabovarsel”, and say that paper, tape, and some silly jokes never hurt nobody. I hope at least one of these give you a little giggle. If graffiti gives a voice to the man on the street, your average bloke, I like that this is what he is choosing to say.

Graffiti: Public Art