GRAFFITI AS PROTEST ART IN STREET WORKS: A CULTURAL STUDIES THEORY ANALYSIS

Abstract

Graffiti as street art has long been an effective medium of social expression to voice dissatisfaction with social, political, and economic conditions. In the Indonesian context, graffiti developed as a means of protest art that reflects the collective identity of society as well as criticism of controversial government policies. This research uses a cultural studies theoretical approach to analyze the role of graffiti in building protest narratives in public spaces. Using descriptive qualitative methods, this research explores the symbolism and expression patterns in graffiti from various cities in Indonesia. The results show that graffiti such as "Jogja Ora Didol" and "Forced to be Healthy in a Sick Country" not only reflect resistance to government policies but also depict the struggle of marginalized groups in seizing urban space as a medium for cultural expression. These findings confirm that graffiti can function as a powerful visual communication tool in mobilizing people to think critically and build social solidarity. Furthermore, graffiti is seen as a dynamic tool of subcultural resistance, allowing artists to reclaim public spaces often dominated by commercial advertising and government propaganda. This research provides insight into how street art can be a representation of cultural identity, a strategy of resistance, and a dynamic instrument of social change amidst the dynamics of contemporary Indonesian politics. Through the analysis of graffiti narratives, this study underscores the role of visual art as a form of public discourse that challenges hegemonic structures and amplifies the voices of the marginalized.

Keywords: Graffiti, Protest Art, Cultural Studies