Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property. Graffiti is often regarded as unsightly damage or unwanted vandalism.

Graffiti has existed since ancient times, with examples going back to Ancient Greece and the Roman Empire.

Graffiti can be anything from simple scratch marks to elaborate wall paintings. In modern times, spray paint and markers have become the most commonly used materials. In most countries, defacing property with graffiti without the property owner's consent is considered vandalsim, which is punishable by law. Sometimes graffiti is employed to communicate social and political messages. To some, it is an art form worthy of display in galleries and exhibitions, to others it is merely vandalism.

One of my favourite graffiti artists is called Banksy. He's a UK artist from Bristol whose style is based on graffiti with trademark stencilling.  His artworks are often-satirical pieces of art on topics such as politics, culture, and ethics. Here is Banksy's website if you are interested in knowing more.

http://www.banksy.co.uk/cuttings/star.html

Here are some of my graffiti photos:

This is a train in Milan.

Marker graffiti in Hong Kong

Same artist as above - different location

Removable graffiti!