Golden Graffiti, Golden Words

Recently I went to see the Arizona Copper Museum in Clarkdale, a small mining town about an hour from Sedona, with my sister and brother-in-law. After we got out of the car I saw this amazing golden-coppery graffiti on a nearby concrete wall. I was struck by its exuberance and artistry, and so I quickly took one image with my iPhone and then went into the museum. When I saw it on my computer screen later that day, I was struck by the graceful and energetic shapes that I saw in this photo.

Why am I drawn to this image? I like both the freedom of its brushstrokes, and the golden-coppery tones of the paint. Is there some "tag" language to these kinds of paintings, as if it proclaims a certain territory for someone? I don't know. As I look at it, however, the graffiti has an energy of movement and exuberance that suggest it's simply personal expression. I love how the curves and lines communicate something about the essence of the artist. I sense a joyful energy in it.

I'm also intrigued by the surface it's on - the greens and grays, as well as the scuffs and scratches, make a nice background for the various tones of gold. It's as if nature contributed to the creation of this image by turning this outdoor surface into a beautiful surface for it.

As I gave this image some thought, I realized that my website could be seen as a kind of graffiti - a collection of artistic images and words that proclaim my territory, so to speak. But it's completely voluntary to go to my site, and I'm not messing up the landscape, so the comparison only goes so far.

Out of curiosity, I searched online for any commentaries on the beneficial side of graffiti art, and was impressed at the thoughtful and persuasive points that were expressed. Here's one example: "The Advantages of Graffiti Art"