BEYOND VANDALISM: ANALYSING GRAFFITI AS VISUAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURAL COMMENTARY AT KNUST

Abstract

This study examines graffiti as a form of visual communication and cultural commentary on the campus of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), focusing on its aesthetic, philosophical, and symbolic dimensions. Often dismissed as vandalism, graffiti is here repositioned as a legitimate art form that bridges traditional African visual languages with contemporary global narratives. Using a qualitative research approach that combines semiotic and content analysis, the study analyses four selected graffiti artworks created by KNUST students, uncovering their embedded meanings related to identity, social critique and philosophical inquiry. The Semiotic Theory of Communication, in conjunction with Empirical Aesthetics, serves as the study's theoretical foundation. The sampled works transform public spaces into arenas for dialogue, creative resistance and self-expression. The findings highlight graffiti’s role in shaping cultural discourse and amplifying marginalised voices. The study concludes by advocating for the recognition of graffiti within academic frameworks, its preservation through archival practices, and the establishment of designated spaces for artistic engagement and cultural exchange.