Today is

By: Ikedi Ani-okoye.

Graffiti explained

Graffiti is often associated with gangs, guns and crime. But it's important to understand why. Graffiti is used by gangs in Mexico, L.A. and other large cities the world over. It's used to mark gang territory in specific areas. Often gangs will spray their tags over an enemies tag to provoke violence and retaliation. As such, graffiti has built up a bad reputation and has come to be associated with the more negative aspects of culture and society.

Graffiti as art

Should graffiti writers be allowed to do anything they wanted? I am a keen believer that 'controlled graffiti' has more benefits than negative impacts on the society. It is true that vandalism is not welcome in the society. However, there are many graffiti writers who treat graffiti art as a form of community beautification. By community beautification, I consider graffiti art in urban 'dead spaces'. They help to spice up abandoned urban blight and educate the public on social issues.

Graffiti exhibits

With the emergence of street art collectives such as Cable Street, Scrawl Collective and Monorex, a niche has opened in the market for popular graffiti. Almost every night in London, a gallery space or bar is exhibiting the work of an individual graffiti artist. From the world-famous to the new and upcoming, it has never been easier to promote your talents as an artist.

Removing graffiti

Except for paint, graffiti removal materials cannot be found in hardware stores or other shops. They must be ordered from specialty suppliers and often are only sold in bulk to cities and professional graffiti-removal services. However, if the graffiti that needs to be removed is paint, you can find these supplies at local retail stores; however they are likely to be specific for small projects. One method of removing graffiti is by painting over it.

CONCLUSION

Graffiti is a major problem all over the world costing tax payers millions of dollars every year in the prevention and removal of unsightly tags and graffiti. Some graffiti is true art, but unfortunately most is obscenity and tags. Tags are people's ID mark, and can be either their initials or just some obscure symbol which only they or other taggers know. Tagging is not just kids, but grown adults travelling the country leaving their tag in an underworld game of tagging.