Mainstream graffiti on the cards

The City of Sydney is exploring the possibility of legalising walls for graffiti as part of its ongoing review of graffiti and wall murals.

Council is vowing to employ a “common sense approach” as part of its efforts to manage graffiti in the area.

The move was lauded by long-time graffiti advocate, Greens Councillor Irene Doutney. She said the implementation previous graffiti walls had proven popular and successful.

“There used to be a long wall in the car park in Redfern, which was covered in fantastic street art. The guys used to turn up every two or three months and paint a new picture on it, and I just think it’s stunning,” Ms Doutney said.

“We live in a vibrant world where street art is part of culture so I’m very supportive of them. I think for the people who are serious, it gives them a place to actually do their art rather than just doing it randomly on anything.”

A City of Sydney spokesperson said: “The City of Sydney is considering the introduction of legal walls as part of a review of graffiti and wall murals.

“We take a common sense approach to uncommissioned art, and try to recognise and respect the conflicting views around this issue.”

According to its website, the City of Sydney removed 264,324 incidents of graffiti and bill postering between July 2011 and July 2012.

If the motion is passed, the City of Sydney will join the ranks of Leichhardt and Marrickville Councils who already have in place such provisions for graffiti art.

A Marrickville Council spokesperson said a permit system for a graffiti wall was developed following the community’s request to provide a legal location for people to paint.

“The legal street art wall at Mahoney Reserve has been successful. Since the initiative started, Council has issued 115 applications,” the spokesperson said.

The City of Sydney is approaching the issue cautiously. “The management of legal walls can be challenging and there are no legal walls in the City of Sydney Local Government Area at present,” the spokesperson said.

Also touted is the possibility of expanding curated street art. Curated art refers to graffiti art which is specially commissioned and supervised by art “experts” in the field.

“Curated street art and legal graffiti walls are two different things. It may well be there could be room for both if there is demand,” the City’s spokesperson said.

21-year-old graffiti artist, Tom Dub said graffiti walls helped to reduce illegal activity.

“If they’re allocating walls where people can paint, then younger people are going to see that as a way to express themselves in an art form rather than going and attacking the streets by tagging,” he said.

“At least in this way it’s going to be seen by people. It can be seen as what graffiti art can be.”

By Sharon Ye & Adra Anthoney