Young Reporter “More than art on the wall” Arush Sundar Wilson’s School

Vandalism

Under section 1 of the criminal act 1971 it states “ A person who, without lawful excuse, destroys or damages any property belonging to another, intends to destroy or damage any such property, or is being reckless as to whether any such property would be destroyed or damaged, is guilty of an offense. It can lead to the decline of an area and a lack of respect for the place in which people live, work and play.” Many artists have served sentences after being convicted of graffiti in public areas but  have admitted they continue to do so in chase of recognition and fame ( known as “tagging”). Although, graffiti is seen as an ’unrestricted form of artistic expression’, it has many dangers associated for individuals who partake in these activities. Artists who do graffiti on trains are at risk of seriously injuring themselves on the railways yet continue as they are willing to take the risk.

 

History of Graffiti

Modern graffiti originated from around the 1960’s in New York and Philadelphia  with popular artists such as Daryl McCray who used graffiti in form of protest – early graffiti often contained messages that reflected the social and political issues of the time, such as civil rights, urban decay, and economic disparities.  Graffiti was largely an underground movement in the 1960s, with artists operating in the shadows and often evading law enforcement. This underground culture helped establish graffiti’s rebellious and countercultural reputation. Currently, some artists have made profound impacts in the art world by using their graffiti to address political issues. One specific example in the UK is the famous “Banksy vs. Bristol Museum” exhibition in 2009. Banksy is a famous artist in the UK who transformed the entire museum into a thought-provoking art installation which showcased his art, often critical of authority and societal issues, alongside the museum’s collection.

 

Its not all bad

Recently, there have been cases where graffiti in public areas is legal or permitted. Many cities and communities have recognized the artistic and cultural value of graffiti and have implemented programs to support street art in designated spaces. These spaces, often referred to as “legal walls” or “street art zones,” allow graffiti artists to create their work without fear of legal repercussions. Such initiatives aim to reduce vandalism while promoting urban art as a form of creative expression. Cities like Berlin, New York, and Melbourne have established legal graffiti areas, contributing to the growth of street art as a legitimate and celebrated art form in public spaces.

 

Graffiti often has debates surrounding the idea of culture vs vandalism and has rather divided views on either side. Personally, graffiti has some beautiful representations which enhance local life in urban areas by adding colour but often they are done so without any legal consent. The question I leave with you is this – should graffiti be penalized or normalized?

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