I can't remember his name now but for a few decades some bloke in Sydney took to writing the word 'eternity' in the most beautiful copperplate in all sorts of public places. That would have appeal for Gibo, but it was one of those things that started out as nothing but became an important cultural icon in itself.

It had everything - mystery because for a long time nobody knew who was doing it, aesthetic beauty in the handwriting and the kind of message that gives you something to think about.

I, too, think that graffitti deserves to be appreciated. Since when was it government's job to be the art police?

> If people like graffiti, then why is it getting lumped in the bag with tagging and getting removed in WA? This is not fair and an artist should be able to express him/her self...

I'm pretty sure that has something to do with politicians and the media. Prompted by an incident which a citizen might find objectionable (the more sensational the more $$$ for the papers and votes for the politicians), it blows out of proportion and it's suddenly about banning it completely and that it's a scourge of society. Most of it is based on making people emotionally outraged rather than a discussion amongst democratic equals on how to reach a compromise or solution. Local councils can be very corrupt. They grow arrogant and attract the kind of people that love to assert power and world view over others.

graffiti is a good topic when the pasha bulka was stranded on newcastle beach i should of got my spray can out and wrote the forgotten australians victims of rape and abuse by the employees of the states run institutions ,we are the forgotten australians where we suffered at the hands of people the australian goverment employed , orphanages ,girls homes, boys homes , remand centres , foster homes, out of home care , these are the things the australian goverment are trying to cover up and the public should know this , speak out mr howard or mr rudd as this maybe a real chance for yo to have the real votes and then you will be able to speak of the truth of which we suffered,

D.Funkt,
Catchya writing on my wall be careful.

Graffiti is a bloody eyesore and we should adopt Singapores approach to flogging vandals with a piece rattan.

I do agree there is a diff between mindless taggers and an artist however there must be a better outlet for these young artists than to cost taxpayers big bucks to cover up what is essentially vandalism no matter how appealing it is to some.

I see new tags on the kwinana freeway train line after a day. Graff artists despise sanctioned walls and generally grow out of it however this does not help the fact that some person has to clean up after them.

Centrelink would go a long way if they were to stop payments for 6 months to anyone found defacing public property.

Whats your address SCOTTY? Nah, Just kidding.

Sorry to say but your post only generates further enthusiasm for me in relation to graffiti art. I like the fact that its there even though you may prefer it not to be, and I like the fact that you may ask, when looking at the art, "who did this?" That sort of question leads to "why did they do this, and what is the meaning of this peice?"

Reclaiming public space anonymously like that and making the passer by ask questions is precisely what graffiti art should be about and adds an interesting and culturally valuable addition to our urban landscape.

Nuturing young people's artistic talents in this way also diverts their attention away from anti social behaviour, as is being discussed in the other thread entitled "Anger in our youth, where will it stop?"

A proposed answer to the quandry.

Those who like graffiti and think that it serves a valuable purpose register their preferences in a public register.

Graffiti artists who don't wish to intefere with others property without consent can use the property of those on the register as they so desire.

Owners of property not on the register who's property is impacted with by graffiti can either claim for cleanup or rental on the damaged property (according to their preference) from those who like graffiti.

A win win situation. The artists have a ready supply of properties to mark, property owners are not subjected to costs and damage associated with unlawful use of their property and those who like graffiti get it close to home.

R0bert