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Great photo mate, As a former graffiti artist, I can say without question that 80% of the graffiti I've seen rivals the best contemporary art you will find anywhere... There is an amazing diversity in styles, motivations and themes behind todays graffiti... I was a writer between 1996 and 2005 in Melbourne. During those years the scene changed and grew much like any style of art you see today. but the basis, the point of it all remained much the same. As long as there is something to be said, there will be graffiti.
I wholeheartedly agree that 'tagging' is pointless, ugly and not at all constructive.. but a well placed, tasteful and colorful work of art in a dark, dingy looking alley way, or the boring brown walls lining the train lines in my opinion is a beautiful brightening of our cities.. Its part of the culture of the city. In Melbourne city culture, so much so that most of the graffiti within the city is now heritage listed...
Its a very much misunderstood form of self expression, and because it is believed to all be done by young kids who are seen to be trouble makers, it is frowned upon. More often than not, its people who's lives present them with no other outlet, they express themselves the only way they can.. In my opinion, if their self expression brightens my journey to work, or gives me something interesting to look at when I'm walking home, or waiting for a train, then good on them..
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