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The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti
Bursting with color and energy, this revised edition of the definitive guide to street art and graffiti covers the world’s most significant artists, styles, and the urban landscapes that form their canvas
Ten years after its original publication, The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti is recognized as the definitive guide to the most significant artists and styles of street art and graffiti around the world. This revised edition brings the content up to our present moment, expanding its geographic breadth to six continents. Featuring more than 700 full-color photographs of raw, energetic, whimsical, and eye-catching art, the book is visually exciting as well as an essential survey of the urban art of our time.
Organized geographically by country and city, the publication profiles more than 100 of today’s most important street artists—Espo in New York, Merlot in Seattle, Os Gêmeos in São Paulo, Michael Pederson in Sydney, Essu in Tokyo, Lady K in Paris, Milu Correch in Buenos Aires, and Nardstar in Cape Town——alongside key examples of their work. With contributions by the foremost authorities on street art and graffiti, this landmark publication continues to provide a nuanced understanding of a global contemporary art practice.
Ten years after its original publication, The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti is recognized as the definitive guide to the most significant artists and styles of street art and graffiti around the world. This revised edition brings the content up to our present moment, expanding its geographic breadth to six continents. Featuring more than 700 full-color photographs of raw, energetic, whimsical, and eye-catching art, the book is visually exciting as well as an essential survey of the urban art of our time.
Organized geographically by country and city, the publication profiles more than 100 of today’s most important street artists—Espo in New York, Merlot in Seattle, Os Gêmeos in São Paulo, Michael Pederson in Sydney, Essu in Tokyo, Lady K in Paris, Milu Correch in Buenos Aires, and Nardstar in Cape Town——alongside key examples of their work. With contributions by the foremost authorities on street art and graffiti, this landmark publication continues to provide a nuanced understanding of a global contemporary art practice.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 28, 2026
چه خلاق🛹
November 19, 2013
3.5 stars
Did I enjoy this book: This was a different selection for me. It’s not a book that I would normally seek out but it piqued my interest when the request came in. I’m glad I decided to check out this book.
The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti is not a book that I sat down with and read start to finish. I picked it up every now and then, examined the pictures, and read the biographies of the different artists. I really like the maps of the different cities drawn by some of the artists. There were some works that I didn’t get. There were some that looked like vandalism to me. And there were others that blew my mind, the cover and the other pieces by El Mac especially. His pieces are amazing. They call them “photo-realistic” and they truly are.
This was a very interesting book. It made look at things differently, question things, and truly appreciate the talent of many of these street and graffiti artists.
Would I recommend it: If you are an art buff, an art major, or you enjoy art, graffiti, and learning about various graffiti and street artists, then yes, check out this book.
Will I read it again: I will probably pick it up now and then to look at the pictures and read a few bios. It is not a book that I will read cover-to-cover again.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/11/re...
Did I enjoy this book: This was a different selection for me. It’s not a book that I would normally seek out but it piqued my interest when the request came in. I’m glad I decided to check out this book.
The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti is not a book that I sat down with and read start to finish. I picked it up every now and then, examined the pictures, and read the biographies of the different artists. I really like the maps of the different cities drawn by some of the artists. There were some works that I didn’t get. There were some that looked like vandalism to me. And there were others that blew my mind, the cover and the other pieces by El Mac especially. His pieces are amazing. They call them “photo-realistic” and they truly are.
This was a very interesting book. It made look at things differently, question things, and truly appreciate the talent of many of these street and graffiti artists.
Would I recommend it: If you are an art buff, an art major, or you enjoy art, graffiti, and learning about various graffiti and street artists, then yes, check out this book.
Will I read it again: I will probably pick it up now and then to look at the pictures and read a few bios. It is not a book that I will read cover-to-cover again.
(I received a copy of this book for review purposes.)
http://everyfreechance.com/2013/11/re...
September 5, 2017
A very good book which cover quite a bit of garffiti history styles and regions. But giving it a lower rating as there are some notable omissions from Africa, parts of Asia and Arabic calligraffiti. Unfortunately also doesn't profile a lot of women or even specific parts of Asia which are well covered in the graffiti world (Japan, South Korea, Thailand, India etc)
January 24, 2014
From the moment buildings sprouted up from the ground in the formation of the concrete jungles we call cities, there were those who saw the bleak, grey walls as a canvas to express and expose themselves to the public in an unfiltered fashion. From its illicit and illegal beginnings, graffiti and street art has made its way into the protected and profitable world of fine art galleries (a shift that not everyone in the realm is fond of.) Yet the change has not come by way of the quality or effect of the art itself, which was always there, but the understanding of those viewing it. Sometimes it just takes a new set of eyes to appreciate what was there before.
The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti by Rafael Schacter strives not only to document, organize and illustrate the breadth and wealth of street art in the world, but also to educate the reader. He defines each artist along the way with an encyclopedic litany of fine art terminology, which at times can sound a touch pretentious, but is always done with the utmost sincerity. The book is a gallant effort to prove that these artists are not just taggers and their work is more than urban distraction. It has meaning, it is layered and it has value.
Schacter intricately moves across the globe, splitting it into huge geographic sections to display the graffiti cultures and their connected influences. Some artists find their work determined by their surroundings, which may be more desolate or decrepit than others, like Kenor who is quoting as wanting to “decorate the dead cities”, while others see their style more defined by the social and political current running through the area. The book touches repeatedly on the battle in certain areas of the graffiti world between social awareness (from people like Jetsonorama) and chaos and destruction (from others like Katsu.)
The artists portraits also help illustrate their passion for the style and the outlet, proving that it is far more than just a playful rush (although for some that is a huge part of it.) Many of them have backgrounds and masters level educations in the fie arts and graphic design. The walls, streets and billboards of the open city offer more than just space, they are inspiration for the piece itself.
There is also another internal struggle between creating art and creating marketing. Each artist wants to be known and have their pieces carry a certain type of recognizable style, but they do not want to cross the line into commercialization and crass pandering to the fine art establishment. For those folks who live in both worlds (the street and the gallery), this can be especially tough.
While the book is not a quick read by any means (you almost need a degree in fine arts to understand all the terminology), it still works as an impactful display of passion, skill and artistry which may just inspire the reader as well.
The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti by Rafael Schacter strives not only to document, organize and illustrate the breadth and wealth of street art in the world, but also to educate the reader. He defines each artist along the way with an encyclopedic litany of fine art terminology, which at times can sound a touch pretentious, but is always done with the utmost sincerity. The book is a gallant effort to prove that these artists are not just taggers and their work is more than urban distraction. It has meaning, it is layered and it has value.
Schacter intricately moves across the globe, splitting it into huge geographic sections to display the graffiti cultures and their connected influences. Some artists find their work determined by their surroundings, which may be more desolate or decrepit than others, like Kenor who is quoting as wanting to “decorate the dead cities”, while others see their style more defined by the social and political current running through the area. The book touches repeatedly on the battle in certain areas of the graffiti world between social awareness (from people like Jetsonorama) and chaos and destruction (from others like Katsu.)
The artists portraits also help illustrate their passion for the style and the outlet, proving that it is far more than just a playful rush (although for some that is a huge part of it.) Many of them have backgrounds and masters level educations in the fie arts and graphic design. The walls, streets and billboards of the open city offer more than just space, they are inspiration for the piece itself.
There is also another internal struggle between creating art and creating marketing. Each artist wants to be known and have their pieces carry a certain type of recognizable style, but they do not want to cross the line into commercialization and crass pandering to the fine art establishment. For those folks who live in both worlds (the street and the gallery), this can be especially tough.
While the book is not a quick read by any means (you almost need a degree in fine arts to understand all the terminology), it still works as an impactful display of passion, skill and artistry which may just inspire the reader as well.
January 6, 2018
Quotes/Notes:
Exploring work that is both consensual (outward-looking and community embracing) and antagonistic (inward-looking, with more subculturally centered aspirations) in its approach
New York had a fifteen year head start on the rest of the world when graffiti started in the late 60s
In London there is generally a quite brutal style of production, an unrepentant aesthetic possibly determined by the city's status as the CCTV capital of the world. Artists have worked to both elude and belittle the powers of this surveillance society, adopting a determinedly rough, vandalistic style that embraces anarchy over art.
Artists to check out:
Sever: absurdism, satire, iconoclasm
Pieces: "Fuck the Poor", Atlanta, USA, 2009 [Mickey Mouse hands flipping off everyone]
Seher One: "Sea Snake", 2010
Erosie, "Target Marketing", 2010 [minimalistic posters of black lettering and white background: "By the Time you read this you have reached the end of the sentence" and "Looks like a picture of an image of what you see", and "This is not for you but for the nest person that reads it" They prompt the viewer to question why the poster was there in the first place and advertising in general.]
Aram Bartholl, "Dead Drops", 2010-2012 [puts a usb in a brick wall, plug your laptop in and you'll read a text file that says share you files onto here: people did start sharing files through them]
Akay: "Akayism": was born, a pseudo-political, guerilla marketing campaign that promoted nothing other than itself—a form of visual propaganda with an ironic lacuna at its heart. "Akayism" was an Orwellian, dystopian satire.
"The Mess", Vienna, Austria, 2011 (with Brad Downey) [coats car with paint]
"12m^3" they built a house hanging on a cliff side—a non-space in planning and legal terms through its suspension in the air rather than being set on the land, and therefore one unable to be removed by the local authorities. All of these projects questioned issues of ownership, property, legality, and bureaucracy, and commented on the possibility of escape and freedom.
He has a term called "mudlevel" rather than grassroots projects which function without funding, permission, or license.
Escif: "Educacion para la ciudadania" Valencia, Spain, 2012 [riot cops beating up a book]
"Art Vs. Capitalism", Grottaglie, Italy, 2011 [draws a circle and then it turns into a 1 euro dollar and drops on artist]
Liqen: "Wall Street Labyrinth" Miami, USA, 2011 [giant labyrinth of centipede human figures in suits]
Rone: "Unstoppable" Melbourne, Australia, 2012 [glamorous woman in shades, black/white film noir esque]
Lush: grotesque graffiti, meta-graffiti; pornography, misogyny, ethnography
Ben Frost: "World War 3?" Brisbane, Australia, 2011 [woman crying with comics bubble: "World War 3? But..I just bought the new iPhone..!"]
Exploring work that is both consensual (outward-looking and community embracing) and antagonistic (inward-looking, with more subculturally centered aspirations) in its approach
New York had a fifteen year head start on the rest of the world when graffiti started in the late 60s
In London there is generally a quite brutal style of production, an unrepentant aesthetic possibly determined by the city's status as the CCTV capital of the world. Artists have worked to both elude and belittle the powers of this surveillance society, adopting a determinedly rough, vandalistic style that embraces anarchy over art.
Artists to check out:
Sever: absurdism, satire, iconoclasm
Pieces: "Fuck the Poor", Atlanta, USA, 2009 [Mickey Mouse hands flipping off everyone]
Seher One: "Sea Snake", 2010
Erosie, "Target Marketing", 2010 [minimalistic posters of black lettering and white background: "By the Time you read this you have reached the end of the sentence" and "Looks like a picture of an image of what you see", and "This is not for you but for the nest person that reads it" They prompt the viewer to question why the poster was there in the first place and advertising in general.]
Aram Bartholl, "Dead Drops", 2010-2012 [puts a usb in a brick wall, plug your laptop in and you'll read a text file that says share you files onto here: people did start sharing files through them]
Akay: "Akayism": was born, a pseudo-political, guerilla marketing campaign that promoted nothing other than itself—a form of visual propaganda with an ironic lacuna at its heart. "Akayism" was an Orwellian, dystopian satire.
"The Mess", Vienna, Austria, 2011 (with Brad Downey) [coats car with paint]
"12m^3" they built a house hanging on a cliff side—a non-space in planning and legal terms through its suspension in the air rather than being set on the land, and therefore one unable to be removed by the local authorities. All of these projects questioned issues of ownership, property, legality, and bureaucracy, and commented on the possibility of escape and freedom.
He has a term called "mudlevel" rather than grassroots projects which function without funding, permission, or license.
Escif: "Educacion para la ciudadania" Valencia, Spain, 2012 [riot cops beating up a book]
"Art Vs. Capitalism", Grottaglie, Italy, 2011 [draws a circle and then it turns into a 1 euro dollar and drops on artist]
Liqen: "Wall Street Labyrinth" Miami, USA, 2011 [giant labyrinth of centipede human figures in suits]
Rone: "Unstoppable" Melbourne, Australia, 2012 [glamorous woman in shades, black/white film noir esque]
Lush: grotesque graffiti, meta-graffiti; pornography, misogyny, ethnography
Ben Frost: "World War 3?" Brisbane, Australia, 2011 [woman crying with comics bubble: "World War 3? But..I just bought the new iPhone..!"]
July 21, 2013
Graffiti has been with us at least since ancient Egypt. However, its modern version, independent public art, emerged in the 1960s on the east coast of the United States. Since then, it has spread throughout the globe and has become the most common form of art there is. It ranges from graffiti tagging to murals. It has been done with chalk, spray paint, and even lasers and it has as many styles as artists and some, like Baksy, are as well-known as commercial artists. Some have, in fact, become commercial artists.
This book, however, deals with those who continue to make public places their canvases. Through pictures and fascinating bios, it tells the stories of street artists from countries as far apart as Brazil and Russia as well as both American coasts. The artists and their styles are just as diverse as their countries. Some are humorous, political, beautiful, profound; some are simple tags on mailboxes and walls; some are beautiful murals which fill the sides of buildings; and some are light shows which cover famous landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Whatever and wherever, they are all more or less subversive and they are all fascinating. This book takes you around the world in street art and what an amazing and beautiful journey it is!
This book, however, deals with those who continue to make public places their canvases. Through pictures and fascinating bios, it tells the stories of street artists from countries as far apart as Brazil and Russia as well as both American coasts. The artists and their styles are just as diverse as their countries. Some are humorous, political, beautiful, profound; some are simple tags on mailboxes and walls; some are beautiful murals which fill the sides of buildings; and some are light shows which cover famous landmarks like the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Whatever and wherever, they are all more or less subversive and they are all fascinating. This book takes you around the world in street art and what an amazing and beautiful journey it is!
October 25, 2017
Cool book! The descriptions tend a little too much towards the cerebral. Graffiti, to me, always seemed a bit more of an urgent/visceral form of expression. I get that it takes planning, thought and artistic talent to create "street art" but what draws me most to this particular art form is the balls it takes for these artists to impose themselves on their surroundings and not let their surroundings dictate how things *should* be. The book didn't really tap into that urgency (and sometimes reads like a textbook), so it gets "docked" a point. However, the pictures were beautiful and the info on the artists, their contexts and histories was really interesting. Recommended!
May 30, 2017
The art was nice but the writing was too boring for me to want to find out more about the artists...
June 30, 2018
Very in-depth look at street art around the world and accompanying info on the artists, sharing their message with the world through their art. The photos are great. It is, however, quite text heavy.
May 11, 2026
I read the newest version which isn't here on goodreads. It had some amazing art featured in it. My top 3 favorite artists are probably Neelon, Reyes, and El Mac. Faith47 created pieces that also made me smile.
April 17, 2018
Gorgeous book with good selection of artists, but text is academic to the point of scholasticism and is incredibly annoying.
Read
July 23, 2016Schacter, Rafael. (2013). World atlas of street art and graffiti. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Type of Reference- Atlas
Content/Scope- 400 pages detail the work of 113 artists in 50 different cities. Author collaborated with street artists, art historians, curators, and writers. Foreword by street and multi-media artist. Artists' commercial success is varied.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias- the books details the tension between high and low art and mainstream vs. underground culture. Opinions from both official art experts and street artists themselves. Author is an honorary research fellow at the Department of Anthropology at University College, London.
Arrangement/Presentation- 750 color illustrations. Organized by locations, with hand drawn maps in some cities, is laid out by continents and then cities.
Accessibility/Diversity- this volume details a kind of art that most people consider criminal. Artists are from diverse backgrounds.
Relation to other works- the library has multiple volumes on art, but nothing about street art or graffiti.
Timeliness and Permanence- Graffiti as art is just becoming accepted. Art books with nice pictures are always a valuable addition to a library in a school with an art program.
Cost $35.00
Professional Review http://www.booksinprint.com.libsrv.wk...#
Type of Reference- Atlas
Content/Scope- 400 pages detail the work of 113 artists in 50 different cities. Author collaborated with street artists, art historians, curators, and writers. Foreword by street and multi-media artist. Artists' commercial success is varied.
Accuracy/Authority/Bias- the books details the tension between high and low art and mainstream vs. underground culture. Opinions from both official art experts and street artists themselves. Author is an honorary research fellow at the Department of Anthropology at University College, London.
Arrangement/Presentation- 750 color illustrations. Organized by locations, with hand drawn maps in some cities, is laid out by continents and then cities.
Accessibility/Diversity- this volume details a kind of art that most people consider criminal. Artists are from diverse backgrounds.
Relation to other works- the library has multiple volumes on art, but nothing about street art or graffiti.
Timeliness and Permanence- Graffiti as art is just becoming accepted. Art books with nice pictures are always a valuable addition to a library in a school with an art program.
Cost $35.00
Professional Review http://www.booksinprint.com.libsrv.wk...#
August 16, 2013
Super rich and interesting, this book is incredibly well documented.
It is intended to satisfy street art aficionados and enthusiasts as well as newcomers. Readers who just want to enjoy the photos and the work of artists by turning the pages will be as pleased as those who want to understand and know the birth of this art through the 400 pages of this atlas.
The reader scans the globe along with some of the most famous artists of the world and discover the diversity of this art open to a lot of influences. Between simple words graffed to the incredible frescoes, through the most original and unusual works, this book captivated me.
Not being a connoisseur but enjoying some works I've seen through my travels through Europe and the United States, I was conquered by the information received in this Altlas.
The perfect gift for someone who loves art.
Sentence
"Indeed, there are as many different motivations, styles, and approaches within this artistic arena as there are practitioners themselves - a "street art" for every street artist, a "graffiti" for every graffiti writer."
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
It is intended to satisfy street art aficionados and enthusiasts as well as newcomers. Readers who just want to enjoy the photos and the work of artists by turning the pages will be as pleased as those who want to understand and know the birth of this art through the 400 pages of this atlas.
The reader scans the globe along with some of the most famous artists of the world and discover the diversity of this art open to a lot of influences. Between simple words graffed to the incredible frescoes, through the most original and unusual works, this book captivated me.
Not being a connoisseur but enjoying some works I've seen through my travels through Europe and the United States, I was conquered by the information received in this Altlas.
The perfect gift for someone who loves art.
Sentence
"Indeed, there are as many different motivations, styles, and approaches within this artistic arena as there are practitioners themselves - a "street art" for every street artist, a "graffiti" for every graffiti writer."
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
October 20, 2013
Graffiti is a divisive topic. Some people believe that it's a public nuisance. Some believe that it's truly art. I think it's absolutely fascinating either way you look at it.
This book is a encyclopedia of very different artists divided up by where in the world they are located. I loved that the book was divided up by city. It was interesting to see how the place where the artists were located seemed to influence their work and in some cases, even each other! Through the street art and graffiti of each different locale, you really get a sense of the city.
This is an absolutely gorgeous book filled with fantastic pictures. I loved looking through this book and reading the back stories and histories of the artists and the places where they make their art. This book is going to make a fantastic addition to my library (this is a book that I will definitely look at in the future). It would make a great gift for your loved ones that enjoy art!
Overall, this is a great collection.
This book is a encyclopedia of very different artists divided up by where in the world they are located. I loved that the book was divided up by city. It was interesting to see how the place where the artists were located seemed to influence their work and in some cases, even each other! Through the street art and graffiti of each different locale, you really get a sense of the city.
This is an absolutely gorgeous book filled with fantastic pictures. I loved looking through this book and reading the back stories and histories of the artists and the places where they make their art. This book is going to make a fantastic addition to my library (this is a book that I will definitely look at in the future). It would make a great gift for your loved ones that enjoy art!
Overall, this is a great collection.
July 19, 2013
The World Atlas of Street Art and Graffiti is a wonderful survey of more than 100 active street artists from 25 countries. The book describes the development of street art and graffiti within each region featured and has contributions by experts on street art and graffiti. The book also includes a glossary for the nonexpert and URLs to artist websites so that the reader can further explore the work of the artists featured in the book. The majority of the images featured in the book were provided by the artists themselves.
Read Netgalley ARC.
Read Netgalley ARC.
January 24, 2016
This is an impressive and colorful book of outdoor art around the world. I didn't read all the text but the stories that go with the art are also impressive, like Arthur Stace, an almost illiterate reformed alcoholic, who, over a period of 35 years chalked the word "eternity" in neat copperplate nearly 500,000 times in Sydney, Australia. His exploits have now been memorialized in opera and film. Very enjoyable and inspiring. It reminds us of the value of graffiti and the fact that some of our best artists have no studio or gallery space of their own.
January 10, 2014
I have enjoyed viewing some amazing vibrant graffiti art on my travels particularly in San Francisco, so, I was excited to discover this comprehensive tome at my local library. It is fascinating to read about graffiti artists from all over the world & to view their diverse art in one volume.
October 8, 2016
Street art continues to evolve from
"vandalism"
into a true art from
with different schools and styles
and the many countries
across the globe all have their
own styles and influences
different
often odd
more often controversial
always stunning
"vandalism"
into a true art from
with different schools and styles
and the many countries
across the globe all have their
own styles and influences
different
often odd
more often controversial
always stunning
September 7, 2016
Ekta - Sweden
Escif - Spain
BMD - New Zealand
Escif - Spain
BMD - New Zealand
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews