Guerilla artists of New York City. (subway art in New York)

Subway art developed in New York City from the 1970s, as a means for ghetto dwellers to express themselves freely in contrast to the limitations of the educational system and their restricted work opportunities. The murals created by these artists became increasingly sophisticated, and there was admiration for their work from people in mainstream culture. There was also opposition from people who saw the murals as a threat, and the authorities took measures to eradicate graffiti, at a time when the fashion had begun to spread to other parts of the world.