Street Art In Brazil

“Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint.” Banksy

You don’t have to look for street art in Brazil because in cities like Rio and Sao Paulo, you will see it every where. (Sao Paulo)

It is part of the Brazilian culture now and a big influence on urban art throughout the world. (Sao Paulo)

Urban Art In Brazil falls into two categories – street art for everyone to see and enjoy and graffiti writing which seems to be for other graffiti writers – with coded tags, style of letter and specific color palettes. Graffiti art has rules, specific use of materials (almost always spray paint), easy recognizable styles and a history. (Sao Paulo)

Street art uses many different materials (paintbrush, computer generated images and spray paint). (Sao Paulo – Beco de Batman)

Street art engages us as we walk or drive by and see something beautiful, sad, funny or painful. (Sap Paulo)

Graffiti art always seems like personal message that we are seeing.



Both are subversive art movements where work is displayed in a public setting for a brief period. (Rio)

It is always the knowing that it wont be there the next time I come that makes it more special to me – that it wasn’t painted to be there forever. (Sao Paulo)



Tagging is different from graffiti. It is known in Brazil as pichacao. (Rio)

The tagger wants to see his name on a wall and has no interest in aesthetics. It is all over Brazil as well. (Rio)

Brazil’s street art is very diverse and always willing to challenge the political, environmental and social climate. (Rio – Lapa)

Urban art is different in Brazil then in other countries because it is everywhere with an abundance of styles, colors and techniques. (Sao Paulo)



In March 2009, the Brazilian government passed a law making street art and graffiti legal if done with the consent of building owners. (Sao Paulo-Kobra)

It is all around from the favelas to the upper class neighborhoods with consent or without. (Rio)

The walls that exist all over the cities whether urban topography or security provide huge spaces for painting. (Sao Paulo)

The cities of Brazil are a giant canvas for the self-expression of their artists. (Sao Paulo)

Obrigada and Ciao,

JAZ