I was quite shocked to read in the Sunday Boston Globe that graffiti artist, Danielle Bremner of New York is expected to be sentenced to six months jail time this week, after pleading guilty to spray painting her moniker (known as “tagging”), in alleyways behind one of Boston’s toniest neighborhoods, and on trains in the rail yards. This seems like quite a stiff sentence for her crime and it is once again stirring up much debate about determining when art becomes a crime. She will also be required to pay five figures for clean up costs. You can read the article in its entirety here. Recently, I have been doing a lot of research about graffiti art/spray paint stencil art and I know my own work has been inspired by many of these artists. I’d like to hear what other artists and readers think of this.
I think cities should devote some space and bring graffiti artists together to showcase their work. It doesn’t have to be negative. It is still artwork. Give the artists an outlet to express themselves and they won’t have to do across the side of a bus.