Art or Nuisance
The following has been provided by local artist Jane Dorset - Webster author for the Jane's Rag Rugs domain.
Graffiti is a fact of Life by Jane Dorset
Whether we like it or not graffiti is a fact of life! It has been called 'illegal art' and can be seen everywhere, including park benches, street signs, bus shelters, trains, and phone boxes.
One arguments says that we should learn to live with it and not dismiss it as vandalism but look upon it as 'street art'.
Graffiti at its best, needs to be planned, controlled and looked after. It can be large scale graffiti murals which become public art projects.
Unhappily some people believe they can march into an area, paint on walls and leave 'tags' (signatures) in a random and incomprehensible fashion. This is often looked upon as vandalism by the local community.
Some graffiti artists say their work 'is free, bright art for the people' rather than a selfish meaningless act. 'This art can inspire young people to be creative' It can often mean more to youngsters than so called 'establishment' art and the kind of stuff you see in the Turner prize.
Gloomy terraces around Paddington near London are made brighter by their dressing of graffiti but it arouses strong emotions from many who detest its polluting and mindless effects.
Until there is a truce and cooperation between the 'artists' and the 'controllers', it looks as if graffiti will remain on our streets for the forseeable future.
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