The Coolest DIY Street Art You've Never Heard Of

Photo: Anna Garforth via Design Boom

Graffiti can certainly sometimes embody the spirit of DIY creativity. The only problem? It has a tendency to be considered vandalism and a bit of an ecological hazard.

Taking hold in New York City in the early 1970’s, graffiti tagging rose with the growth of hip-hop culture and has remained a familiar feature on bus stops, train cars, and walls. From young kids with cans of spray paint to artists like Keith Haring, exterior artwork grew roots that have remained firmly planted. More recently it’s become both more commercialized and more accepted as high art, thanks in part to artists like the infamous Bristol-born Banksy. Edgy, cool, and controversial, his work can sometimes over $1 million at auction. Clearly, the days of a quick, neon squiggle on a wall in the middle of the night, have changed forever.

But even Banksy fans may wonder, is this really beautifying the world around us? Some artists, including Anna Garforth and Edina Tokodi, have taken it upon themselves to find a new, more ecological way to bring art to our cities’ walls: Graffiti moss.

It’s made from a mixture of moss, yogurt, beer and sugar and can be painted directly onto shaded brick and stucco exteriors. Spray this living art with water occasionally and it will keep it growing and thriving as it takes a deep hold in its canvas.

Some people may still not approve, of course, but we have to say we’re pretty blown away!

Here are some of our favorite examples.

Photo: Anna Garforth

Photo: Anna Garforth

Photo: Jaime Rojo Artist: Mosstika

Photo: WikiHow

Photo: Edina Tokodi

If you’re a fan, too, you can try your own hand at a little mossy artwork. It’s pretty simple – just make sure you paint on a shaded wall (and of course get permission from the owner first).