We are surrounded by graffiti, and you will probably pass at least one example even on the shortest of journeys - though you might not notice it. Over the last ten years or so graffiti, or street art, has consistently hit the headlines as the work of some artists, such as Banksy, has fetched record amounts at auction. But graffiti is nothing new, as anyone who has visited Pompeii will tell you. This illustrated talk looks at some of the motivations behind graffiti through the ages, such as love, hate, fear, and persecution, and how it used to be seen not as vandalism but (in some cases) as an act of religious devotion or house decoration. It can also provide us with something which almost no other historic document can - that is, an insight into exactly how a person was feeling at a precise moment in time. We will look at many stunning examples found throughout the UK, ranging from the ancient to the modern. Prepare to be surprised by the power, poignancy and beauty of these forgotten masterpieces.