“Serious Art,” created by the artist known as 3D in 1986, is a work characteristic of the street art movement, specifically within the graffiti genre. The piece features a prominently stark, somewhat ominous face that is centered on a wall, surrounded by various other elements of graffiti, suggesting a bustling tableau of street art activity.
The artwork itself shows a stenciled face in a monochromatic color scheme, giving off a somber, intense vibe. The use of shadowing around the eyes and the sharp lines used to form the facial features contribute to the artwork’s serious tone. Below the face, vibrant graffiti tags add a contrast with their dynamic shapes and vivid colors. The surrounding graffiti elements contribute to a sense of depth and movement, accentuating the central face. It’s noted that the piece was inspired by a comic called “Dark Night” by Frank Miller, though the artist mentions no profound thought behind it other than its artistic merit and the serious expression of the face, which led to the artwork’s title.
