Vandalism or the new expressionism?

A work of art or just an act of unruly hooligans?

 

Street art inspires a wide variety of views although not everyone is amused by the originality and skill it requires. Some are displeased with the negative stereotypes it carries and the feeling it can give to an area. Many would agree, graffiti splattered over walls and houses doesn’t give off the most welcoming atmosphere.

Yet there is a huge demand for it, especially in “urban capitals” like Camden and Brick Lane where this type of art thrives.

Zach Harrison, 26, a vintage shop owner agrees: “I love street art and just how different it can be. It’s so dynamic and spontaneous. You have to admire someone who can do that. It keeps an area looking vibrant and fresh.”

Artists like the well-known Banksy or Mr. Brainwash are pin-up muses for wannabe street artists and it’s evident that quite a few are based on their famous work.

Even those who like the spray-tastic masterpieces can admit that not every piece is to their taste and some could only be loved by the artist themselves.

Just like any other bit of art, it can be interpreted in the wrong way.

Amanda Thern, 34, a Tower Hamlets resident said: “I think it’s terrible. It just ruins the look of things. You can’t say that graffiti sprayed all over the place will help businesses or give it a more professional look.”

In November of last year, a mural sparked some heated fury as a few residents claimed it to be ‘anti-Semitic’.

It depicted a Monopoly style board resting on some naked men, whilst looked on by a group of men with long grey beards. Some claim that the mysterious men with beards are caricatures of Jewish bankers and that the art is based upon Nazi propaganda from the 1930’s.

Azmal Hussain, 56, owner of the property the mural is on, defended it by saying: “To me it is just world leaders playing Monopoly, that is being held up by tax payers.”

Just above the ‘bankers’ is a depiction of a pyramid and an eye, bearing resemblance to the New World Order and Illuminati symbol, some took offence to this and say it only encourages the covert conspiracy.

Tower Hamlets ordered the removal of the ‘offensive’ mural after they received an alarming amount of complaints from the public. Local residents and shop owners were shocked by it as Brick Lane was once a thriving area for the Jewish community.

Although due to the popularity of graffiti and huge demand for space, the street art was replaced before it could be taken down by the council.

BeetzBear, 23, a Brick Lane street artist, said: “The guy who did this is one of my favourite graffiti artists. I love it but I guess not everyone understands our art and that’s how it got misinterpreted. Then again it might just be because not everyone likes street art.”

Street art is a way for un-established artists to showcase their work and talents on many different surface, be creative, make mistakes and be original.

Karina Lee, 19, a Brick Lane lover said: “…many people think it’s just a way of people getting back at society…but it’s really just a way of expressing yourself. Some people appreciate that and others don’t but it’s not going to stop street art from happening.”

Not everyone is a lover of this form of modern art but just like the cold weather, it is a part of London and it’s here to stay.