Course outline
Module 1
Module 1: Topic 1
Topic 1
Knowledge check
Q1. Which of the following is considered a key characteristic of graffiti as fine art?
- A. Use of spray paint only
- B. Expression of social or political commentary ✓
- C. Limited to indoor spaces
- D. Always created anonymously
Why: Graffiti as fine art often includes social or political messages, making it a form of visual storytelling.
Q2. Who is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of modern graffiti art?
- A. Banksy ✓
- B. Jean-Michel Basquiat
- C. Bullshit
- D. Katsuya Nomura
Why: Banksy is a well-known contemporary artist who is famous for his street art and political messages.
Q3. Which of the following is NOT a common medium used in graffiti art?
- A. Spray paint
- B. Acrylic paint
- C. Chalk ✓
- D. Marker pens
Why: Chalk is not typically used in traditional graffiti art, which usually relies on spray paint and markers.
Q4. What is the primary purpose of a 'tag' in graffiti culture?
- A. To create large murals
- B. To leave a signature or nickname ✓
- C. To advertise products
- D. To write political slogans
Why: A 'tag' is a stylized signature or nickname used by graffiti artists to mark their presence.
Q5. Which city is often considered the birthplace of modern graffiti?
- A. New York City ✓
- B. London
- C. Paris
- D. Tokyo
Why: New York City is widely regarded as the birthplace of modern graffiti, particularly during the 1970s.
Module 2
Module 2: Topic 2
Module 3
Module 3: Topic 3
Module 4
Module 4: Topic 4
Topic 4
Knowledge check
Q1. Which artist is widely regarded as a pioneer of modern graffiti art in the 1970s?
- A. Banksy
- B. Jean-Michel Basquiat ✓
- C. Keith Haring
- D. Dalek
Why: Jean-Michel Basquiat was an influential artist who incorporated graffiti-like elements into his work, though he is not strictly a graffiti artist.
Q2. What is the term used for the act of painting or drawing on public or private property without permission?
- A. Muralism
- B. Graffiti ✓
- C. Stencil art
- D. Street art
Why: Graffiti refers to the act of marking or painting on surfaces without permission, often associated with vandalism.
Q3. Which of the following is a common technique used in street art?
- A. Acrylic painting
- B. Sculpting
- C. Stencil cutting
- D. All of the above ✓
Why: Street artists often use a variety of techniques including acrylic painting, sculpting, and stencil cutting.
Q4. What is the name of the famous mural painted by Banksy in Bethlehem, Palestine?
- A. The Kissing Coppers
- B. Girl with a Balloon
- C. The Walled Off Hotel ✓
- D. Balloon Girl
Why: The Walled Off Hotel is a famous artwork by Banksy located in Bethlehem, Palestine.
Q5. Which of the following is a key difference between graffiti and street art?
- A. Graffiti is always illegal, while street art is always legal.
- B. Graffiti is often anonymous, while street art is usually signed. ✓
- C. Graffiti is always political, while street art is always commercial.
- D. There is no difference between the two.
Why: While both can be anonymous, street art is often signed and displayed with the intention of being seen as art, whereas graffiti is frequently done without permission and anonymously.
Module 5
Module 5: Topic 5
Module 6
Module 6: Topic 6
Topic 6
Knowledge check
Q1. Which artist is often credited with helping to bring graffiti into the realm of fine art through gallery exhibitions?
- A. Banksy ✓
- B. Jean-Michel Basquiat
- C. Keith Haring
- D. Futura 2000
Why: Banksy is known for integrating street art into the fine art world through his gallery exhibitions and public installations.
Q2. What is the primary difference between graffiti and street art?
- A. Graffiti is always illegal, while street art is always legal.
- B. Graffiti is often associated with vandalism, while street art is usually created with permission. ✓
- C. Graffiti is only found in cities, while street art is found in rural areas.
- D. Graffiti is always created by anonymous artists, while street art is always signed.
Why: While not always true, street art is often created with permission, whereas graffiti is frequently associated with unauthorized tagging.
Q3. Which of the following is a common medium used in street art?
- A. Acrylic paint on canvas
- B. Spray paint on walls ✓
- C. Charcoal on paper
- D. Oil on wood
Why: Spray paint is a commonly used medium for creating street art on public surfaces.
Q4. What is the name of the famous mural painted by Keith Haring in the 1980s that depicted a radiant baby?
- A. The Radiant Child ✓
- B. The Dancing Baby
- C. The Happy Child
- D. The Smiling Baby
Why: The Radiant Child is the name of the famous mural painted by Keith Haring in the 1980s.
Q5. Which of the following is a well-known example of a street art piece that has been preserved and displayed in a museum?
- A. The Mona Lisa
- B. The Kiss by Picasso
- C. The Balloon Girl by Keith Haring ✓
- D. The Starry Night by Van Gogh
Why: The Balloon Girl by Keith Haring is an example of a street art piece that has been preserved and displayed in a museum.
Module 7
Module 7: Topic 7
Topic 7
Knowledge check
Q1. Which artist is widely regarded as a pioneer of modern graffiti art in New York City during the 1970s?
- A. Jean-Michel Basquiat
- B. Jean-Michel Basquiat ✓
- C. Banksy
- D. Keith Haring
Why: Jean-Michel Basquiat was a key figure in the graffiti and street art scene in New York City during the 1970s, though he later transitioned to the fine art world.
Q2. What is the name of the technique used in graffiti where letters are painted in a stylized, often exaggerated way?
- A. Tagging
- B. Throwing up
- C. Wildstyle ✓
- D. Stencil
Why: Wildstyle refers to the highly stylized and complex lettering used in graffiti, often involving intricate designs and interlocking letters.
Q3. Which of the following is a common material used by street artists for creating murals?
- A. Acrylic paint ✓
- B. Oil paint
- C. Watercolor
- D. Charcoal
Why: Acrylic paint is commonly used by street artists due to its durability, quick drying time, and vibrant colors.
Q4. Which of the following artists is known for using stencils to create political and social commentary in their street art?
- A. Jean-Michel Basquiat
- B. Banksy ✓
- C. Keith Haring
- D. Frida Kahlo
Why: Banksy is well known for using stencils in his street art to convey political and social messages.
Q5. What term is used to describe the act of writing one's name or pseudonym in graffiti?
- A. Tagging ✓
- B. Throwing up
- C. Wildstyle
- D. Stencil
Why: Tagging refers to the act of writing one's name or pseudonym in graffiti, often used as a signature by graffiti artists.