Contested interpretations of graffiti in Sao Paulo, Brazil

In this thesis I examine the divide between graffiti writing and graffiti art in São Paulo, Brazil, arguing that privileging graffiti art perpetuates the marginalization of graffiti writers, especially in the context of São Paulo positioning itself as a 'creative city.' The actions of graffiti practitioners can be connected to those of artists during the military dictatorship (1964-1985) in Brazil, as interventions in the city and society. The contemporary graffiti scene in São Paulo, as is also observed in other major metropolises, is an unequal one: graffiti art is praised while graffiti writing is criminalized.