How Do We Define Art? The unframed, unsigned, unfiltered expression of graffiti.
Art has always been a subject of interpretation, rebellion, and emotional connection. It shifts with time, culture, and circumstance, and while the dictionary may try to reduce it to “the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination,” anyone who has stood before a breath-taking painting, been moved by a song, or found inspiration in a piece of street graffiti knows art is far more than just technique. Art is emotion. It’s storytelling. It’s soul.
Here in South Wales, we’re blessed to live in a place where art doesn’t just exist — it thrives. It seeps into every corner of our culture, from the echoing harmonies of choirs in chapels to the stages of community theatres bursting with local talent. Our valleys and coastlines have long inspired painters, poets, and performers. We sing in pubs, we dance at festivals, and we fill our town halls with dramatic flair. The arts are in our blood — part tradition, part rebellion, and entirely Welsh.
But there’s one form of art that we often overlook: the art in our streets. The unframed, unsigned, unfiltered expression of graffiti. While some may still roll their eyes and label it as vandalism or tagging, to do so is to miss the rich creative movement unfolding right before our eyes. Take a walk through Cardiff city centre or the back lanes of a small Welsh town and you’ll see it — bursts of colour, emotion, and expression sprayed across brick, shutter, and concrete.
Graffiti, when stripped of stigma, reveals a powerful truth: it is art in its most democratic form. There’s no admission fee, no gallery queue, and no dress code. It’s created in public and shared with the public. That accessibility, that raw connection between artist and passer-by, is part of what makes street art so powerful.
“What is art? It’s a lie that makes us realise truth.”
And the talent? Unbelievable. From hyper-realistic portraits to abstract explosions of colour, South Wales is quietly becoming a canvas for some of the UK’s most vibrant graffiti artists. Many of these creators are self-taught, driven by passion rather than profit. What’s more, they’re often using their work to send messages, to uplift communities, or simply to brighten someone’s grey Tuesday.
Thankfully, the perception of street art is changing. Once confined to alleyways and hidden corners, graffiti is now being invited into the mainstream. Café owners proudly commission murals on their exterior walls. Schools are working with artists to paint logos and inspirational images in their playgrounds. Shops are handing over their shutters for creative transformation, turning security into spectacle. And at local festivals, artists are celebrated for their work — even offering custom graffiti art for people’s bedrooms.
It’s a cultural shift worth noting, and one that South Wales is uniquely positioned to lead. Our community-driven spirit pairs beautifully with the inclusive, expressive nature of graffiti art. It reflects our history — bold, working-class, unafraid — while also embracing innovation and creativity.
Art doesn’t have to hang in a museum to matter. It doesn’t need to be accompanied by a label or a frame to be profound. Sometimes, it’s a spray-painted dragon on a city wall. Sometimes, it’s a vibrant mural on a boarded-up building, turning decay into beauty. Sometimes, it’s a quote or a symbol that makes you pause, smile, or think. That’s the essence of art, isn’t it? Not just to be seen, but to be felt. Whether it’s sung in a choir, performed on a stage, or sprayed onto a brick wall, art is all around us in South Wales. We just need to take the time to look.
So, the next time you’re walking through town and you spot a splash of graffiti, don’t be so quick to label it. Instead, ask yourself: Is this not also art? If it makes you feel something, sparks a thought, or simply makes your day a little brighter — it’s done
its job.
In South Wales, we sing. We act. We paint. And yes, we graffiti. And that, perhaps, is the most beautiful kind of art — one that’s truly for the people.
If any of the artists featured on this article would like to get in touch please feel free to message is via our Website to be connected with our writer Amy for further in-depth looks into your works.