SIMONE SAMUELS
The recent arrest of graffiti artists and criticism of their work has spurred a group of Durban aerosol artists to put their “passion into action” in an effort to educate people about an “art form” which is often misunderstood as vandalism.
“We want to show that graffiti is not a crime; it’s art and it’s out in the open for the public to see,” said Jonas Barausse.
Barausse is the marketing manager of Street Scene Tours, which has organised a “Crime Seen Tour”, an initiative in response to what he views to be negative media hype surrounding the arrest of seven graffiti artists for vandalism last month.
Iain “Ewok” Robinson, a professional aerosol artist, yesterday began work on an interior wall at Barausse’s offices as part of the initiative.
The mural, in the Mahatma Gandhi (Point) Road office, will be one of the stops on the September 10 tour.
Robinson said the tour aims to dismiss misconceptions about graffiti and to show people that Durban offers a wealth of street and urban art.
He said aerosol art and vandalism are both categorised as graffiti art, but the two were very different.
“We are not in any way making a case for vandalism. If you’re caught out there tagging, that’s a crime, but just because you have a spray can in your hand does not mean you’re a vandal,” Robinson said.
Robinson explained that vandalism is an act of destruction and a crime, while aerosol art is an act of expression, like any other art form.
People who draw on a wall without permission cannot be equated to fine arts students, who paint beautiful murals, he said.
Robinson said that while providing legal graffiti walls is not likely to reduce the amount of vandalism, it will see more aspiring aerosol artists having a platform to express themselves and develop their many skills.
Barausse said the best way to help people to understand this highly criticised art form was to show them what it has to offer.
Robinson agreed, saying that education is the only way to prevent people from confusing young professional artists with juvenile delinquents and to appreciate the craft and skill that street art requires.