Graffiti and Pop Surrealism grew up side by side — same rebellious energy, same refusal to play by the rules. Pop Surrealism (also known as Lowbrow Art) has its roots in Los Angeles in the late 1970s, and it has never stopped growing since. But to understand how it got here, you have to understand what it shares with graffiti.
What Is Pop Surrealism? The Lowbrow Art Movement Explained
Pop Surrealism is best known for vibrant colours, eccentric themes, and a parody delivered with humour — it doesn't take itself seriously, and that's the whole point. That free-form, rule-breaking spirit has sparked ongoing debate about whether Lowbrow Art even qualifies as a legitimate category of art. Sound familiar? It's the exact same argument graffiti has faced for decades. For a deeper look at the movement, see what defines pop surrealism — and if you want the bigger picture, what pop art is all about is a good place to start.
How 1970s Graffiti Started a Revolution (Sound Familiar?)
Graffiti has existed for centuries, but the style we recognise today gained real traction in the early 1970s — right around the same time Pop Surrealism was taking shape. Graffiti art is defined by its rebellious nature: artworks placed secretly on public infrastructure, going against the norm, defying the status quo. Its legitimacy as an art form has been questioned ever since — and it thrived anyway. You can trace that whole journey in how graffiti made it into the gallery.
Why Graffiti and Pop Surrealism Share the Same DNA
Both styles incorporate unusual, non-traditional forms that don't fit neatly into art's established categories. Some argue graffiti falls directly under the Pop Surrealism umbrella — and the similarities between the two are hard to ignore. The look, the feel, the attitude: they share the same revolutionary DNA. Graffiti Pop Art is perhaps the clearest expression of where these two worlds fully collide. And if you want to see where that collision is heading today, has street art become pop art? is worth a read.
Two Art Forms That Never Needed Anyone's Approval
There is no doubt that graffiti has played a significant role in the maturity of Pop Surrealism. But at the end of the day, both styles have never cared whether the traditional art world validates them or not. Being accepted by the rigid, gatekeeping side of art is the least of either movement's concerns. Freedom and flexibility are the name of the game — and that's exactly what makes them both so enduring. See how this plays out further in pop surrealism and lowbrow art.
See the Work: Pop Surrealist Prints by Barrie J Davies
Check out a range of pop surrealist prints and original paintings by Barrie J Davies — bold, colourful, and made in Brighton.
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