- Spray can art is often categorized as a form of graffiti art. Although spray can art or spray paint art did stem from the graffiti explosion of the 1970's, it is considered a wholly separate art form with its own conventions. The biggest distinction between the two art forms is the surface on which it is created. Even though both art forms are made for public viewing, graffiti is found on surfaces such as buildings, subway stations and billboards. Spray can art is more often created on transportable and traditional surfaces such as board, wood or canvas. This transportability has led to the art form being exhibited in galleries and museums which has resulted in it's newly found credibility.
- Much debate has occurred as to the true origins of spray can art. Even though many concur that spray can art developed in New York in the early 1980's, most critics and aficionados of the art form place the birth of spray can art in Mexico City. This is due in large part to the music scene that was flourishing at the time. While in the United States the graffiti artists were listening to the rap, funk and punk that was emerging from New York and Los Angeles, artists in Mexico were listening to classic rock, classical music and traditional Aztec music. The imagery depicted supports this history.
- Graffiti artists perform their art at night without an audience, where as spray can artists perform their art in view of the public. Since both art forms are performance driven they do not conform to the artistic process of revision. They are one shot and the first result is the end result.
- One of the identifying characteristics of spray can art is the subject matter depicted. The imagery is ethereal and the other worldly, which is seemingly more suited to being painted on the side of a van or a progressive rock album cover. The idea of spray can art is that the artists wants to escape the pain of ordinary life.
- Because spray can art is created on surfaces that are not permanent, it allows the artists to broaden their materials beyond spray cans. Stencils, magazine photos and even house improvement products such a spackle, grout and cement are used to create textures and layered nuances that are not found in graffiti art.
- Due to the inexpensive cost of materials, spray paint art is becoming one of the fastest growing collectible art forms. Spray paint art can be found in galleries, museums, art fairs, flea markets and even online directly from the artists themselves.
- What we will see is that this type of art form will be increasingly welcomed into the fine art tradition as its popularity grows. It is only a matter of time before established fine artists embrace the methods used in spray paint art to expand their own pictorial vocabulary.
