ONE PERSON’S VANDALISM IS ANOTHER’S MASTERPIECE

Abstract

The way we perceive and react to urban art depends mostly on where it takes place as well as our preconditioned ideas about what constitutes art or vandalism. Art is very subjective and unfortunately, in most cities around the world, it is politicians and law enforcement who are deciding what should or should not be in our streets. I am a street artist who has been painting for over six years in urban spaces around the world. I have experienced vastly different reactions depending on which country’s walls I am painting on. Ironically, I have found that you get a higher proportion of better quality and more appreciated works in cities such as Bogota, Colombia, where the laws are more liberal. Compared to cities where street art is highly illegal, it actually encourages a higher proportion of lesser quality, quickly completed tags and pieces. I found criminalising urban art does more damage to individual lives and society. The fact is, graffiti writing and street art can never be stopped, therefore, society and cities need to make informed, positive decisions regarding its laws and their implications for artists. I feel both artists and government officials can win through dialogue and compromise.