Is Graffiti Ever Considered Art?

Does graffiti blur the lines between vandalism and art? As graffiti removal specialists with over 30 years of experience in the trade, we remove countless episodes of graffiti each year and advise our customers on the best ways to keep graffiti at bay.

Graffiti removal is important for many reasons because it brings the value of your property down, will set a wrong impression of a business, and may encourage more graffiti.

However, graffiti has long been a topic of debate in the art world, with many people considering its artistic value. Whilst graffiti is most commonly seen as an act of defacement, sometimes it is celebrated for its self-expression. Some forms of graffiti are gradually gaining recognition in some spaces for their artistic merit, allowing talented artists can make their mark.

Banksy’s legacy

If there is one artist whose graffiti has crossed into art, it is Banksy. This elusive street artist has left his mark on various locations across the UK. Some of his most famous works include The Girl With The Balloon and The Mild Mild West. His work has become an iconic symbol of urban art and is extremely valuable.

Despite his global recognition, the artist has never been unmasked. His work has now been displayed across many countries of the world as his popularity has skyrocketed. In recent years works have sold for large sums at auctions. Love Is In The Bin is an artwork by Banksy that eventually fetched £ 18.6 million in October 2021 at a Sotheby’s Contemporary Art Sale.

Leake Street Tunnel

Leake Street Tunnel – sometimes called the Banksy Tunnel is the one spot in London where graffiti artists can express themselves. Hidden below Waterloo Station, this once ugly underpass is now covered in colourful graffiti after Banksy invited other artists to a street art festival in 2008. The event, known as the Cans Festival, started a celebration of graffiti. As a result, it is considered a must-visit destination for graffiti artists.

The Baltic Triangle

The Baltic Triangle in Liverpool is considered a burgeoning street art and graffiti centre. Just a short walk from the centre, the area is known for its warehouses and industrial buildings that have formed a backdrop for new street art. famous artworks include The Liverpool Wings, Liver Bird, and Liverpool Without Walls.

Shoreditch

Shoreditch in east London has long had a thriving art scene. From huge murals that take up most of the façade of some buildings to intricate designs tucked away in corners, it has long been considered the place to create art.

Top locations to see include New Inn Yard, King John Court, Ebor Street, and Holywell Lane. Another cool spot to see art is the railway hoardings underneath Shoreditch Overground Line.