Graffiti; Art Or Vandalism?
By Jake Leech
It is illegal to spray paint on other people’s property without permission. Permission needs to be given by the owner before any paint leaves the can, but the younger generation of today has a tendency to illegally "Tag" certain areas with gang symbols, names or even strong emotional messages as a way of expressing themselves or claiming territory.
The question I would like to ask the community of Hereford is “Do you see graffiti as modern art or a crime?” I believe people use graffiti as a medium through which to put messages across to the public but the only place they are reaching at the moment is Herefordshire’s council clean up team.
I think that the younger generation should be given a place to display their graffiti within Hereford; a building or maybe just some walls otherwise all their hard work is in vein.
I believe that graffiti needs to be seen as an art and not a crime and I hope that one day others will believe that too.
Banksy v Bristol Museum a free exhibition from 13th June to 31st August 2009
