Graffiti and Chinese calligraphy: looking for identity in fusion

This PhD thesis examines the relationship between Chinese calligraphy and graffiti in China, focusing on artists who integrate Chinese writing and calligraphic scripts into their work. It investigates the interaction between graffiti and calligraphy by: (1) analyzing graffiti created in mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan from the early 2000s to the present; (2) examining the influence of Western culture, including contributions from non-Chinese artists, on the evolution of Chinese graffiti; and (3) defining a distinct "Chinese graffiti style", outlining its characteristics and potential future developments. The study also explores how this “fusion” represents a search for “identity” through an analysis of representative artworks that blend graffiti with Chinese cultural and calligraphic elements. Following the Introduction, which presents the research topic, state of the art, sources, aims, and methodology, Chapter 2 establishes an analytical framework. It traces the origins of the Chinese graffiti movement, its early diffusion centers, and key defining aspects. This chapter also explores the historical, terminological, stylistic, and geographical dimensions of graffiti across mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, highlighting the processes that led to the integration of calligraphy and graffiti. Chapter 3 examines pioneering crews and artists from the “Golden Era of Chinese Graffiti,” analyzing major works from its inception up to 2020. Chapter 4 focuses on the "New Era of Chinese Graffiti," showcasing significant developments from 2020 to the present. Chapter 5 delves into the Chinese Emotional Graffiti movement, emphasizing its text-centered, expressive nature. Finally, Chapter 6 revisits the research questions, synthesizing key insights from the study.