From a marker made scribble to a decent throw-up, the road is short. Working towards a more elaborate wild style, and especially searching for a unique expression in the process, is somewhat trickier. We all know graffiti art emerged from the letter, from its form and its meaning. It took the letter to another plane, toying with it, developing it, working with its limbs and bumps, until a completely new art form came to existence. Not unlike calligraphy.

But, calligraphy is older, different, traditional and philosophical. The abstract qualities lie in it, while it unites the visually perceptible and conceptually defined. The art of letter writing is more than a style. It’s about movement, meditation, lasting impact. Calligraphy is a power in its own right.

So, when graffiti and calligraphy inevitably meet, what is to expect? Fascinated by the aesthetics found in letters, writers who dare to delve deep into the shape of a word approach the challenge differently. The ten amazing artists presented here all come from different cultures and every heritage in calligraphic sense shines through their work. The father of Calligraffiti, Shoe is Dutch, so we read the gothic letterings throughout his pieces. French - Tunisian elSeed brings a fresh take on the Arabic calligraphy, while Usugrow combines the traditional Japanese writing art and rock n’ roll culture. Abstracted formations of Retna glorify visual impact of signs, elevating them into the domain of abstract art. Khadiga El-Gawas, a brave artist from Egypt and the only woman in our selection, thrives on writing out cryptic messages in Arabic with pure light. Each of the writers, Chaz Bojorquez, Rostarr, Hlawani or Luca Barcellona have their own manner, reason and message, but they are all united under the vast ceiling on the beauty of the written.

Scroll through some of the most brilliant examples who exist and create in the place where graffiti and calligraphy blend.

Images via Shubbak