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THEArt___________________________________________________________

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Take a look downtown. Are the drawings in spray

paint that bad? Most graffiti artists are not teenag-

ers or gang affiliated. Graffiti artists range from

various ages. As young as 13 to 48. Accomplished

artist, 35 year old Neequaye Dsain grew up in the Slough and Wind-

sor area. He is responsible for the graffiti mural adorning the wall

of Slough young People’s centre.There is always much controversy

over this topic. It has its pros and cons but which most do we take

in account.

When you drive by the highway you can see city cleanup work-

ers paint over the large colorful words. While this may seem like

a good thing, others feel by painting over there large bold color-

ful words they are destroying their work of art. Graffiti artists put

much time and effort to perfect their art for the community to see.

Professional artists may disagree that graffiti isn’t art, but I ask the

question - What is art then? Many people would say that art is a

painting, sculptural or something living or non living thing that ex-

presses a thought, feeling, mood with different art supplies such as

paint, crayons, markers etc. While we have our opinion about what

art really is, we cannot simply destroy their art.

When you ask people what they think of graffiti, they will tell you

it’s bad because it’s destructing property. Have you ever thought

that that we, the people pay taxes and our money is paying for these

buildings that have this different kind of art? If we are paying for

these buildings shouldn’t the city take a vote to see whether the

public would want to see a different kind of art? The government

should not automatically make the decision to cover up the art.

They should take account of what kind of art it is and what message

it’s sending to the community.

Graffiti is the art that has an effective message or story behind the

large bold colorful words. Most kids and even adults relieve their

stress and keep out of trouble by illustrating their art. If we continue

to cover up their work they will only find more places to illustrate

their work. The government should reuse banned buildings to have

graffiti artists illustrate their work. The community should think of

new ways to help these artists. Graffiti is what makes the city of

Austin keep its title, “Keep Austin Weird.” The government needs

to be called to action to fix this art madness through the city.

Although there will always be much controversy over whether

graffiti is art or crime many people have their views and so do the

graffiti artists. We need to know where to draw the line of what art

really is and if there should be a line at. We also need to face the

““

Graffiti is the Art that has an Effective Message

By:Brandon Reed