Artists or Criminals? Nottinghams Graffiti Culture

Is street art devaluing Nottingham, or rather enhancing the city's culture? Despite the council's efforts to clean up Nottingham and bring an end to graffiti, the urban phenomenon lives on. The question is, should this form of cultural and political expression really be deemed illegal? Or should a difference be made between creative street art and mindless tagging and vandalism?

George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four Symbol of Unreality

Stop Wars adaptation of Star Wars

Have a lovely day

Splash of Colour - Notts Council House

Banksy Style Angel by Canal

Despite Nottingham City Council's efforts to clean up the city and end graffiti, the urban phenomenon lives on. Local authorities associate street art with antisocial behaviour, gang culture and vandalism. The consequence of this unlawful activity is usually a hefty fine or imprisonment. But what about graffiti as a growing, modern art form? When done tastefully, street artists are capable of creating masterpieces. Large-scale wall paintings, or murals, can also be of great cultural and political significance too.

A form of expression

Banksy, the infamous British street artist, once said, "if graffiti changed anything, it would be illegal". He believes that street art can potentially challenge the social order which is why it is deemed unlawful. The anonymous artist focuses on controversial themes, such as war, capitalism and poverty, but his work is usually painted over by authorities quickly after it's discovered.

Nottingham based street artist, Questionmarc (or The Phantom Piddler), also creates politicised art forms. The ‘public urination permitted' prank that appeared with a fake letter from the council was directed at local MPs. It tried to address the issue that there are so many pubs open late but no toilets after close. With Nottingham's vibrant nightlife, public urination is a major problem and offenders face prosecution (even though the issue really lies with the local government). This stunt lasted between six hours and seven days.

Street art has evolved into a subculture and movement. If it wasn't illegal, it would have the potential to be a means of communication between the masses and the elites.

Graffiti possesses cultural significance too. Local political activist, Adrian Abbott (23), argues, "younger generations emphasise more with Banksy images rather than a piece hanging in the Louvre... it's art for the people, and people define culture".

The Nottingham Contemporary Gallery is one of the largest modern art spaces in the UK. After opening in 2009, it has welcomed street artists, such as tribes and mrthebeef, and embraced their work as part of Nottingham's art culture.

Mansfield based artist, Olly Mooney, from High Impact Custom Graffiti believes, "street art contains as much culture (if not more) than most cities and establishments - it dates back to the fourth century BC and is merely a misunderstood art form that is slowly breaking into day-to-day life".

Misrepresentation

It can be argued that street art is misinterpreted. Especially here, the government are not as accepting of it as other countries in Europe (for example, Germany and the Netherlands). UK law states that anyone caught graffiting can be arrested and prosecuted under the Criminal Damage Act 1971.

Nottingham Council in particular has no tolerance for graffiti. Sam Webster, councillor for Wollaton and Lenton Abbey, stated, "graffiti can raise the fear of crime and give the impression of an uncared environment". Those caught defacing public property can be fined up to £5,000 or imprisoned for up to ten years. Local authorities can also issue £75 fines and ASBOs on the spot.

Local resident, Fiona McDonaghue (47), feels similarly that, "the level of graffiti on both on public and private locations does impact the aesthetics of Nottingham and is an on-going problem". Improving the city's image was part of the reason why Nottingham council banned legal graffiti art sites (also called free walls) in 2010. It was also because they felt it encouraged illegal graffiti. This differs from most UK councils that allow street artists to work on certain spaces. Surely the outlawing of free walls in Nottingham will result in more illegal artwork?

Obviously, no one wants to see the streets of Nottingham plastered with abusive or extremist graffiti that spread hate messages. For example, the racist attack on the local Muslim family in Bingham was unacceptable. The offensive messages attacking Islam and Allah spray-painted outside their home was a form of vandalism, not art. It would have been performed by uneducated youths and completely misrepresents street art. Without a doubt, crude graffiti should be removed immediately by the council. 

It is important here to distinguish between street art and vandalism. Mindless scribbles, tagging, and messages that attack cultures or religions represent antisocial behaviour. Such behaviour undermines the true value of meaningful graffiti.

Tagging is usually associated with gang culture. Tags are stylised signatures that indicate that an area is a gangs territory. Cameron Bain, a street artist who is part of Nottingham's underground music scene ‘Rubberdub' stated, "graffiti isn't just writing your name on a wall to get noticed, it is about giving people something to look at and even change the way they think".

Enhancing Nottingham?

Offering an alternative point of view is exactly what street art should be about. The graffiti photographed across Nottingham is in no way unpleasant or abusive. Street art adds colour  to blank industrial spaces and derelict areas, and enhances a city's culture. It can say something about society, change the way someone thinks, and highlight political issues that may be ignored by local residents, authorities or the media. The question is, should Nottingham be imprisoning these artists, or rejoicing their work?