There is Always Hope

The work, called There is Always Hope but often referred to as Girl with Balloon when the
quote is removed from the piece, appeared in 2002. Banksy is one of the world's most
renowned artists. ... The heart-shaped balloon is believed to represent love, hope, innocence,
childhood and self-confidence.

Discuss the following questions about graffiti and street art with a partner or small group:

1. What is graffiti? What is a ‘tag’?

2. What is street art?
3. What is the difference between graffiti and street art? Is there a difference?
4. Is street art better than graffiti? Why? / Why not?
5. Are graffiti artists just people who can’t draw? Do they have talent? How do they compare to
traditional artists?
6. How would you feel if somebody painted graffiti on your property?
7. Do you know any graffiti artists? Describe them.
8. What causes graffiti?
9. Have you ever been to a street art exhibition? Would you like to? What do you think it would
be like?
10. Is graffiti ‘the worst kind of art’, as some people think? Why? / Why not?
11. Are graffiti artists selfish and inconsiderate towards other people? Why? / Why not?
12. Are graffiti artists generally male? If so, why?
13. Why do people feel the need to write their name on things, e.g. a book, table at school, or a
wall in town? How is this connected with feelings of possession and belonging?
14. Is Graffiti always political? What is the point of graffiti? What is the point of street art? What
do the artists want to say about their lives or society?
15. Who owns graffiti? If somebody paints on your property, can you legally claim the artwork as
your own?
16. Is graffiti threatening to people? What kind of people feel threatened by graffiti?
17. Should we remove graffiti and street art? What is the cost of removing it? Who has to pay for
it?
18. Would your school director be happy if you wrote graffiti all over the school building? Why? /
Why not?
19. What would the world be like without graffiti or street art?