Graffiti vandalism involves using paint to create words or images on public and private property without permission. It can be used for various reasons, but is often seen as illegal. Governments and property owners often fight back against it, but some regions welcome it as art. Some graffiti artists, like Banksy, have gained mainstream recognition. Graffiti that prompts social or political commentary can be seen as legitimate art.
Graffiti vandalism is a form of vandalism in which individuals use paint, often spray paint, to create words or images on public and private walls and property. This is done without the permission of the owner of that property, and is often seen as a form of illegal vandalism. These images and words can be created in many different ways and for many different reasons, from indicating the location of gang territory to making political or social statements about government or artistic expression. Vandalism of graffiti can cost business owners and governments large amounts of money to remove, although it is often not as inherently destructive as vandalism that causes property loss or damage.
Often referred to simply as graffiti, graffiti vandalism typically uses paint and a number of different methods to create a wide variety of images on walls and buildings. These images can consist of anything from a word or two, usually intended to identify a particular graffiti artist or group, to recognizable murals and images. Since this is done without the owner’s permission, regardless of the merit of the creation, it is often unwanted. This makes graffiti vandalism illegal in most areas, and how such vandalism is dealt with depends on the work and opinions of local legislators.
Most graffiti vandalism is fought back with fervor by governments and the owners of buildings targeted by such vandalism. Law enforcement efforts are often undertaken to catch such vandals and property owners usually paint over graffiti on a building or wall. In some locations, hidden cameras are even set up to catch graffiti artists in the act, aiding law enforcement in catching such individuals. Most areas prosecute graffiti vandalism quite noisily, although some graffiti artists and regions welcome the work as a public display of art.
Famous graffiti artists, such as Banksey, have been celebrated not only in underground cultural movements, but also in mainstream culture. The vandalism of graffiti that goes beyond simple text or images and instead prompts social or political commentary can move from vandalism to art. While the work will often still remain controversial, the nature of such work may cause a public outcry in support of leaving the graffiti and recognizing the work as legitimate art. The argument that is often made in favor of such graffiti vandalism is that it can create unique and interesting images for the viewers and does not cause the damage that fire or destructive vandalism often does.
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