Graffiti, a form of public artistic expression integral to countless modern protest movements, functions as a semiotic system and a rhetorical tool simultaneously. Graffiti offers voice to marginalized and underrepresented communities, shaping collective identity, and contesting the hegemony of dominant power structures. This paper explores the semiotic and rhetorical dimensions of graffiti within recent Bangladeshi student movements, highlighting the role of graffiti in guiding socio-political discourse, formation of identity, and the mobilization of resistance. This paper discusses how graffiti emerged as a powerful medium of political expression and social commentary within the backdrop of the student-led movements for the transformative protests of 2024 in Bangladesh, commonly referred to as the July Movement for the Reformation of Bangladesh. Drawing on Affect theory and Rhetorical theory, this study explores how visual and textual elements in graffiti, such as street art and slogans, convey narratives of justice, resistance, and solidarity. Affect theory, in particular, serves as a foundation of the theoretical framework into how graffiti mobilizes collective emotions and reshapes public spaces into affective landscapes of resistance. Case studies from the July Movement illustrate how graffiti can function as both a cultural artifact and a strategic tool for symbolizing alternative political visions and the facilitation of forging solidarity. The findings position graffiti as a crucial medium for shaping socio-political discourse and inspiring transformative change, particularly in the Global South.

Authors:
Imran Jahan Digonto, East West University, Bangladesh

About the Presenter(s)
Mr. Imran Jahan Digonto is a Lecturer in the Department of English at East West University, Bangladesh, and a former faculty member of Asian University for Women (AUW). His research interests include education economics, education technology, accessibility and inclusivity in education, applied linguistics and ELT, as well as education and development.

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark