Understanding Graffiti, a language of contemporary times | Abhinav Kafare | TEDxVITPune

Street art is a type of public art created on streets, walls, and other public spaces. It can take many forms, including graffiti, murals, and stencil art. Street art is often seen as a form of rebellion or as a way to express oneself without having to conform to the norms of society. It can be a powerful tool for social and political change and to raise awareness about prevailing social issues. Graffiti is a rare art that can be beautiful and thought-provoking at the same time and is now a vital part of many cities worldwide.

But do people here in India accept this rebel art as their own? Here comes Abhinav Kafare into the picture. Abhinav is a Pune-based artist who dabbles in numerous fields such as painting, photography and ad films. An alumnus of the prestigious J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, Abhinav takes on a colourful and beautiful journey of street art: remembering the roots of the art from abroad till the state of this art form in India.

Abhinav and his art have been heavily inspired by yesteryear street artists like Samo to a contemporary artist from Great Britain, Banksy. He explains their art and the deeper hidden meaning, thus making the audience think about the street art they see daily and giving a thought about it. Inspired by cities and their culture, Abhinav has created street art and graffiti in their unique styles, may it be a sadhu-inspired wall art in Varanasi or a touristy and hip piece to suit the vibrancy of Goa.

Abhinav gives the credit for his Pune series to the city itself. The people of Pune, fondly called Punekars, and their culture and attitude outrightly struck him and thus became an inspiration for his street art series. Here, he has drawn graffiti depicting vernacular words used only in Pune: ‘Waadhiv’ meaning cool, awesome; ‘Yedya’ that translates to being daft and ‘Nivant’, used for a sense of relaxation and has eventually become Pune’s vibe.

He has also given importance to sending social messages through his wall art so that it can act as a mirror for the current society that has become numb to different vices we face today. Abhinav showcases how artists talk with the public through street art. Though lamenting over the periodic challenges faced by street artists in India, Abhinav is quite optimistic that this art will be accepted by society eventually.

Abhinav Kafare is an artist and a photographer. He seeks newness in the process of creating art and finds life in not knowing how his art will be perceived. The former advertisement designer runs an art collective called Bade Moochwale. He has mastered the parallel forms of art like painting and photography and has several feathers in his cap, when it comes to visual arts.

Infallible in leaving his mark every time he traverses cities like Banaras, Orissa, Delhi, Goa and Mumbai, Abhinav uses street art to communicate with common people. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx