Graffiti is commonly incorrectly perceived as being a form of vandalism. Graffiti has been practiced since time in memorium, in different forms, and subsequently, different tools.

Graffiti is a generic term, which includes any form of writing or drawings on a wall. Vandalism is the conspicuous defacement or destruction of a structure, a symbol or anything else that goes against the will of the owner or governing body. Through these descriptions, graffiti can be classified as vandalism, however, it is not always so.

Through the explanation given in the previous paragraph, one can say that graffiti is not a recent “trend”. Rock art, from Grotte Chauvet in France, has been radiocarbon dated as being 30, 000 years old, long before writing was even invented. This art form is probably just as old in Africa, where many rock engravings and paintings have been found, and were still being made up to 100 years ago by bushman peoples. In Australia, the date is even more impressive, since it dates back to 45,000 years before the present.

Even in Malta, graffiti has been uncovered archaeologically. The ship graffiti of the Tarxien temples are probably the oldest form of ship graffiti in the Mediterranean, dating to 3000BC. According to Joseph Muscat, the trend of scratching graffiti continued into the fifth and sixth centuries A.D. These include the ship graffiti discovered at Hal Far, Tas-Silg temples and St Paul’s and at Tad-Dejr catacombs at Rabat. There was a huge increase in ship graffiti in Malta after 1530AD with the arrival of the knights of St. John, and these are mostly seen in the prison cells.

In order to differentiate graffiti from vandalism, one must pinpoint their distinguishing features. I believe that this is mainly the context, in other words, the place where the graffiti is done.

Frescoes can be considered as graffiti since they are drawings on walls. Frescoes are highly appreciated forms of art. It might seem strange that a fresco, which can be found anywhere, including in churches, is appreciated while graffiti is not. However, there is a very simple explanation to this. Frescoes were, for the most part, commissioned. The subject of the fresco is also of great importance. Church frescos always carry a religious theme.

The New form of graffiti began in New York in the 1960’s. In the beginning, people just wanted their names in places where many could see them. They saw it as a way of gaining recognition, even though graffiti artists, or “writers”, as they refer to themselves, wrote pseudonyms. Graffiti developed into an artistic form of expression. Although writers saw graffiti as a way of gaining fame, they started to experiment with different colours. This soon led to wonderful works of art that were appreciated by others. One does not need to understand the text of a piece of graffiti. Art is not something which is meant to be understood, but it is supposed to be appreciated in the way that any other art form is.

In Malta, the new form of graffiti does exist. It is seen both legally and illegally, though both are uncommon sites. Some people even had graffiti sprayed on their shop walls. I believe that graffiti can liven up any wall; however, there is a need for legal walls. In November 2006, it was suggested that undeveloped plots of land should be blocked off with walls, which could in turn be decorated with graffiti. This sounds like a good idea because it kills two birds with one stone; removing eyesores and creating legal walls.

Although very brief, I have tried to sketch the idea of writing and drawing on walls, as far back as possible. Humans have depicted things on walls for millennia. Could this be a sign of power? Could it be that people want to gain fame? One thing is certain; whatever the reason, graffiti appears to be here to stay!