Photography, Graffiti & Street Art, April Prompt
Graffiti & Street Art: April Prompt
April Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Graffiti & Street Art”
The dead will not be silenced.
While I was contemplating the subject of graffiti and street art for the April prompt, I was browsing at a clothing shop that I visited for the first time. I flipped through the dresses and shirts on the racks, but I didn’t feel a connection to any of the styles — but something else caught my eye.
It was a children’s book laid out on a table: “Banksy, Graffitied Walls and Wasn’t Sorry.” written by Fasuto Gilberti.
Sometimes the universe connects to my thoughts and “things” appear in my field of vision that may support me in my current creative project. It’s weird, wild, and wondrous when this happens.
I never heard of Banksy until that day.
Banksy is considered to be the most famous street artist in the world. I don’t know much about the world of art, graffiti, or street art but I can appreciate it — when I stop, take time, and look at it.
It took me a few minutes to read the book from start to end. It was simple, beautifully written, and gave me insight into the art of graffiti. It made me grateful for Banksy’s inspirational efforts, philosophy, courage, and artwork. You can view one of his most famous graffiti pieces here.
I’m embarrassed to admit that after asking my husband if he heard of Banksy, he told me that the picture that has been hanging in our son’s room for the last couple of years was done by — Banksy.
The artwork is cool — it’s likely he told me the name of the artist after he ordered it on Amazon or when he hung it on the wall (and I quickly forgot it), but I never thought much about the painting other than it was a good fit for my son’s bedroom.
I saw Super Mario and a cop. Now, that I study the picture, I can see and appreciate the details I missed. The universe works in obvious ways — even when I’m oblivious.
April’s Challenge is “Graffiti & Street Art!”
The concept is to take a photo that captures graffiti art or street art. Nope — I’m not daring you to go out and purchase spray paint bottles and go wild—or catch anyone in the act of spray painting! But, wow — wouldn’t that be an adventure?
The challenge is to be observant of graffiti or street art that you might see on the streets during your neighborhood walks or travels.
Graffiti v. Street Art
The difference? Graffiti is typically art done “without permission” and Street Art is typically commissioned and done “with permission.” Some say graffiti is usually word-based whereas street art is image-based. For the purposes of this challenge, I’ll consider submissions that reflect either of the above or any type of combination of the above.
I imagine that the perspective of these two types of artwork will be up to the person viewing it.
“Graffiti & Street Art” Expectations: Please read thoroughly as different expectations apply to each monthly challenge!
- “Graffiti & Street Art” is something you may see typically in outdoor public spaces such as exterior walls of buildings, exterior windows, bridges, skateboard parks, street lamps or poles, bus stops, public bathrooms, park boulders, or wherever artists can find a flat surface to create.
- “Graffiti & Street Art” occurs in outdoor public spaces — either “without permission” OR has been commissioned “with permission.” Sometimes it may be hard to tell the difference.
- “Graffiti & Street Art” is something that may make you stop, wonder, appreciate the beauty, weirdness, or creativity behind it, and ponder what the artist is trying to convey or maybe you can’t figure out what the heck it means but it caught your attention.
I’m looking for graffiti and street art that wows, triggers you to stop and take a photo.
Can you publish a photo that represents “Graffiti & Street Art” and tell a story about it in six words?
April “Graffiti & Street Art Challenge” Rules: Please read thoroughly — rules are unique to this publication!
- The photo must be taken by yourself and please include a photo credit.
- Title: Choose your own title.
- For your subtitle: Please use April Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Graffiti & Street Art” (like the subtitle used in this article.) Once you have written your subtitle, remember to highlight it and click on the small “T” to format it correctly.
- Please tag your story using this tag: Monthly Challenge.
- Only ONE PHOTO can be featured in your story and it must be placed ABOVE the title and subtitle. Your photo must be the first thing I see when I view your submission.
- The photo must feature “graffiti OR street art.” If you want to be included in the photo with graffiti or street art, the only person that can be featured in the photo is YOURSELF. Photos of people other than yourself are NOT ALLOWED. See this article for legal reasons why.
- The story must only be six words. Once you write your six word story, highlight it and click on the small “T” to format the six words. This is so your six words stand out and is a formatting guideline that is unique to this publication.
- OPTIONAL: IF you include a backstory, it can be 1-2 minutes.
- The 3 dots (like in this story) should appear directly below your six word story AND your backstory (IF you included a backstory.) If you don’t know how to do this, view the formatting guidelines linked below.
- The entire reading time of your story must be no longer than 2 minutes! This includes the photo, six word story, any tags, links, or promotion of yourself or other stories. This is the only thing I check for when I review submissions. I don’t do word counts. If your submission comes in as 3-min read or more, it will be rejected.
- Submit unpublished drafts only. Previously published stories (self-published or published elsewhere) will be rejected.
For formatting step-by-step instructions (these are unique to this publication), see Formatting Your Six Word Photo Story.
The “Graffiti & Street Art” challenge is open for submissions from Friday, April 1, and closes Sat, April 30, 2022, at NOON, PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.
NOTE: Stories not formatted correctly, don’t follow rules, or that require edits will delay publication or may not be accepted. Formatting guidelines are unique to this publication — please read them thoroughly.
Wait! I have a special announcement: Introducing Guest Co-Editor, Sandi Parsons!
Since the launching of this publication in September, which was inspired by the crazy popular Six Word Photo Story Summer Challenge writing prompt, your sole editor has been super busy working with submissions! As you know, Ellie Jacobson was the first guest editor I invited to join me to help out for March’s “Pet People” challenge and I’m grateful that Ellie will be continuing on for the month of April.
For this month, I’m happy to introduce a guest editor for the month of April — Sandi Parsons! You may be familiar with Sandi’s writing and her dogs, Rotto and Chilli from her pet stories. One of my favorite stories Sandi wrote is called “I Refused to Call Him Dad” which was published in PS. I Love You. Her story hit my heart and got me teary-eyed.
Sandi is the editor of Speaking Chronically — which will one day be the basis of her memoir about living with Cystic Fibrosis and life post-double lung transplant — and The Last Nerd. Sandi is a self-confessed book nerd, a school librarian, and a children's author. She lives with her favorite husband and two problem puppies.
Sandi is a regular contributor to Six Word Photo Story Challenge, a good writer, and often engages with the readers and writers of this publication. I first met Sandi when we both took a wonderful writing program with Kelly Eden and Ash Jurberg, editors of Inspired Writer. Sandi and I cheered each other on throughout the course and she was a positive support buddy in our writing group.
I’m grateful Sandi welcomed this opportunity and Ellie Jacobson and I are excited to be working with her this month! Please say hello to Sandi Parsons, read her stories, follow her and her publications, Speaking Chronically and The Last Nerd.
Lastly, it’s time to go outside, and observe the art in your community!
Grab those cameras or dig into your archives — you may be surprised with what the graffiti and street artists are trying to convey.
I see art in skateboard parks, under bridges, and on boulders — what do you see? Do you see a “Banksy” in your neighborhood?
Freestyle Stories
You also have the option to write a six-word photo story featuring a photo and topic of your own choosing — as long as the photo and story are connected in some way. The story doesn’t need to be related to the monthly challenge prompt. For your subtitle: Please use your own subtitle followed by the word: Freestyle OR use Six Word Photo Story: Freestyle. Please tag your story using this tag: Freestyle.
Submissions are always open for Freestyle stories.
On writing your Six Word Photo Story
Read and follow the submission guidelines. If your story requires any edits or doesn’t meet guidelines, it will delay publication and may not be accepted. If you’d like to be added as a writer and submit to Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication, please read and follow the submission guidelines.
About the Writer
Mary Chang is an award-winning short story fiction writer, memoir writer, blogger, and editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication — inspired by her original 6-Word Photo Story Summer Challenge writing prompt (2021) on Medium.
She’s also a parent, fitness, and photography enthusiast — and loves creating monthly challenges.
Fueled by cartwheels, laughter, and encouraging people to shine. Read her blog at www.marychangstorywriter.com
