--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All graffiti is low-level dissent, but…" description: "\"All graffiti is low-level dissent, but stencils have an extra history. They've been used to start revolutions and to stop wars\" — Banksy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/711/banksy-3076_artist_all-graffiti-is-low-level-dissent-but-st_2954272.jpg" --- # All graffiti is low-level dissent, but stencils have an… ![“All graffiti is low-level dissent, but stencils have an extra history. They've been used to start revolutions and to stop wars” quote by Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/711/banksy-3076_artist_all-graffiti-is-low-level-dissent-but-st_2954272.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/711/banksy-3076_artist_all-graffiti-is-low-level-dissent-but-st_2954272.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/711/banksy-3076_artist_all-graffiti-is-low-level-dissent-but-st_2954272.jpg) > “All graffiti is low-level dissent, but stencils have an extra history. They've been used to start revolutions and to stop wars” [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Graffiti expresses dissent; stencils add historical context and can spark social change **In simple terms:** Stencil art amplifies protest Key Takeaway Use art to comment on society Themes political protest artistic expression history Mood provocative hopeful Type political inspirational When to use this quote - urban spaces - political movements - public discourse Key Concepts visual communication activism Questions to Reflect On - How can art influence change? - When is protest art effective? A Different Perspective Art may be illegal or vandalism perceived negatively ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Artist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) [Dissent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent/) [Dissent Stencils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent-stencils-4468164/) [Extras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extras/) [Graffiti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graffiti/) [Graffiti Low](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/graffiti-low-4468166/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [Lows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lows/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Revolutions Stop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolutions-stop-4468165/) [Stencils](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stencils-2228187/) [Stop war](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stop-war/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [Stencils are good for two reasons; one - they're quick; two - they annoy idiots.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/stencils-are-good-for-two-reasons-one-they-re-quick-two-they-annoy/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Bus stops are far more interesting and useful places to have art than in museums. Graffiti has more chance of meaning something or changing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/bus-stops-are-far-more-interesting-and-useful-places-to-have-art-than/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [I love the process of cutting everything out with a scalpel yourself: I don't want to have my stencils drawn up in Illustrator, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-eine/i-love-the-process-of-cutting-everything-out-with-a-scalpel-yourself/) [Ben Eine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-eine/) > [Some people become cops because they want to make the world a better place. Some people become vandals because they want to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/some-people-become-cops-because-they-want-to-make-the-world-a-better/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Speak softly, but carry a big can of paint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/speak-softly-but-carry-a-big-can-of-paint/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Should # graffiti be judged on the same level as modern art? Of course not: It's way more important than that](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/should-graffiti-be-judged-on-the-same-level-as-modern-art-of-course/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti is one of the few tools you have if you have almost nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-is-one-of-the-few-tools-you-have-if-you-have-almost-nothing/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Traditional graffiti writers have a bunch of rules they like to stick to, and good luck to them, but I didn't become a graffiti…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/traditional-graffiti-writers-have-a-bunch-of-rules-they-like-to-stick/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [the people who run our cities dont understand graffiti because they think nothing has the right to exist unless it makes a profit... the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-people-who-run-our-cities-dont-understand-graffiti-because-they/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [I don't think you should have to pay to look at graffiti. You should only pay if you want to get rid of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/i-don-t-think-you-should-have-to-pay-to-look-at-graffiti-you-should/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [People say graffiti is ugly, irresponsible and childish... but that's only if it's done properly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/people-say-graffiti-is-ugly-irresponsible-and-childish-but-that-s/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-you-want-to-say-something-and-have-people-listen-then-you-have-to/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and then they scrub it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-s-always-been-a-temporary-art-form-you-make-your-mark-and/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-ultimately-wins-out-over-proper-art-because-it-becomes-part/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [The grumpier you are, the more assholes you meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-grumpier-you-are-the-more-assholes-you-meet/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## More by Banksy > [A wall is a very big weapon. It's one of the nastiest things you can hit someone with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/a-wall-is-a-very-big-weapon-it-s-one-of-the-nastiest-things-you-can/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Some people criticize me for using sources that are a bit low brow (this quote is from 'Gladiator') but you know what? 'I'm just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/some-people-criticize-me-for-using-sources-that-are-a-bit-low-brow/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [There's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/there-s-nothing-more-dangerous-than-someone-who-wants-to-make-the/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [The grumpier you are, the more assholes you meet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-grumpier-you-are-the-more-assholes-you-meet/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Today's art has been cancelled due to police activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/today-s-art-has-been-cancelled-due-to-police-activity/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti ultimately wins out over proper art because it becomes part of your city, it' s a tool; "I'll meet you in that pub,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-ultimately-wins-out-over-proper-art-because-it-becomes-part/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [The bad artists imitate, the great artists steal,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/the-bad-artists-imitate-the-great-artists-steal/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Graffiti's always been a temporary art form. You make your mark and then they scrub it off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/graffiti-s-always-been-a-temporary-art-form-you-make-your-mark-and/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [I just wanna make the world a better-looking place. If you don't like it, you can paint over it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/i-just-wanna-make-the-world-a-better-looking-place-if-you-don-t-like/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [When he time comes to leave, just walk away quietly and don't make any fuss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/when-he-time-comes-to-leave-just-walk-away-quietly-and-don-t-make-any/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [If at first you don't succeed, Call an airstrike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-at-first-you-don-t-succeed-call-an-airstrike/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [Painting something that defies the law of the land is good. Painting something that defies the law of the land and the law of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/painting-something-that-defies-the-law-of-the-land-is-good-painting/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [“Think outside the box, collapse the box, and take a fucking sharp knife to it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/think-outside-the-box-collapse-the-box-and-take-a-fucking-sharp-knife/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [We can't do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/we-can-t-do-anything-to-change-the-world-until-capitalism-crumbles-in/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) > [If you want to say something and have people listen then you have to wear a mask. If you want to be honest then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banksy/if-you-want-to-say-something-and-have-people-listen-then-you-have-to/) [Banksy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) [Explore all 140 Banksy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banksy/) ## More Artist quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I think most artists feel like they're outside society - no matter how many accolades they receive, or how much money is in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-rose/i-think-most-artists-feel-like-they-re-outside-society-no-matter-how/) [Aaron Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-rose/) > [“People in coats and ties were milling around the Talley gallery, and on the wall were the minimally rendered still lifes by Giorgio Morandi,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/people-in-coats-and-ties-were-milling-around-the-talley-gallery-and/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [The prophet who fails to present a bearable alternative and yet preaches doom is part of the trap that he postulates. Not only does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-mead/the-prophet-who-fails-to-present-a-bearable-alternative-and-yet/) [Margaret Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-mead/) > [“So, really," continued Jacob as if this were perfectly normal to expound on art in these circumstances, "when you think about it, the artists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justina-chen-headley/so-really-continued-jacob-as-if-this-were-perfectly-normal-to-expound/) [Justina Chen Headley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justina-chen-headley/) > [“There are two options in art; either to adopt philosophical life by dissecting art, or to write your own philosophical life and claim it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taf-teh/there-are-two-options-in-art-either-to-adopt-philosophical-life-by/) [Taf Teh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taf-teh/) > [From as long as I can remember, I was always fond of drawing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-lucia/from-as-long-as-i-can-remember-i-was-always-fond-of-drawing/) [St. Lucia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-lucia/) > [I think a business guy is different from an artist. They walk different paths. Artists create the best outputs when they're having fun. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-dragon/i-think-a-business-guy-is-different-from-an-artist-they-walk/) [G-Dragon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-dragon/) > [The sublime in art is the attempt to express the infinite without finding in the realm of phenomena any object which proves itself fitting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/the-sublime-in-art-is-the-attempt-to-express-the-infinite-without/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [Art isn't done to decorate apartments, but to wage war against the enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-picasso/art-isn-t-done-to-decorate-apartments-but-to-wage-war-against-the/) [Pablo Picasso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-picasso/) > [Designers shouldn’t design for museums any more than mummies should die for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-caplan/designers-shouldn-t-design-for-museums-any-more-than-mummies-should/) [Ralph Caplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-caplan/) > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [I am not the avant-garde. I am the artist who comes after the advancing guard. I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [I am a horrible visual artist. I can't fix a car, sew, knit, cook, etc. Statistically, there is more I don't do than do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-brownstein/i-am-a-horrible-visual-artist-i-can-t-fix-a-car-sew-knit-cook-etc/) [Carrie Brownstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-brownstein/) [Browse all 32,600 Artist quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/artist/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "All graffiti is low-level dissent, but stencils have an extra history. 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