Calligraffiti street art: where calligraphy meets graffiti
Calligraffiti blends the discipline of traditional calligraphy with the energy and tools of graffiti. The term is widely credited to Dutch artist Niels Shoe Meulman, and the style has since grown into an international movement. Artists such as eL Seed, known for Arabic-script works, and Pokras Lampas, known for large-scale lettering compositions, have helped bring calligraffiti street art to walls, rooftops and galleries around the world. In this category you will find canvases, prints, books and the pens and tools used to create the style.
Styles, techniques and what is on offer
Calligraffiti ranges from flowing, almost abstract script that rewards close looking to bold, legible lettering that carries a message. Many works are built from repeated gestures, layered letters and controlled ink or paint drips. Common items in this category include:
- Calligraffiti canvas: hand-made studio works in ink, acrylic or spray paint.
- Prints: from affordable posters to signed screenprints and other editions.
- Books: monographs and instructional titles on calligraphy and lettering.
- Pens and tools: broad-nib markers, ruling pens, brushes and other tools for practicing your own handstyle.
What to check before buying
For calligraffiti street art by well-known names, the most important questions are whether a work is an original or a print and whether it is signed by hand. A signed, numbered print differs considerably from an unsigned poster of the same image. Look for edition details in pencil, a publisher's mark or a receipt from a gallery. Good provenance such as invoices, exhibition records or correspondence with the artist's studio makes a listing far more trustworthy.
Because lettering can be imitated, be cautious with original works attributed to famous artists at unusually low prices or without documentation. Compare the brushwork and composition with works shown on the artist's official channels, and ask the seller for close-up photos of the signature and the back of the canvas.
Condition and display
Ink on paper is sensitive to light and humidity. Check the photos for fading, waves in the paper and spots, and frame paper works with acid-free materials and UV-filtering glass. Calligraffiti often reads best with enough space around it, so give larger pieces a wall of their own.
Listings are offered by independent eBay sellers and are not checked by us. If you own a calligraffiti piece and want a first idea of its value, upload a photo for a free estimate on StreetArtValue.com.