Aside from the thrill that painters get from illegal painting, their work is becoming an increasingly applauded art form. Banksy, who gained cult status a few years ago with his stencils graffitied around London, has received national acclaim. 'His genius is his capacity to surprise,' says art expert Godfrey Barker. 'His is a positive contribution wherever he goes.'
Sue Nelson, deputy chief executive of Keep Britain Tidy says: 'It is not a question of whether it is art - one person's art is distasteful to someone else. Graffiti makes people feel unsafe and costs a huge amount that could go to other things such as hospital equipment.'
Her view infuriates graffiti artists. 'Money saved from cleaning up graffiti will not buy a kidney machine,' says Boyd from south London. 'Money could be diverted from elsewhere and £27m is not much in the NHS. But that sort of argument wins public sympathy. This is a revolutionary art form - a huge movement created by children.'
Revolutionary? - visually much of it is reactionary and cliché.
A movement created by children - yes and perhaps for that reason it should be celebrated!
Personally I really like the marks a spraycan makes through a cut stencil. The sharp contrasting with the soft is visually really exciting. The simplification/ abstraction to create stencil is great too. My favourite 'graffiti' artist is Swoon
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