Late last year, Life Matters had a talkback session on graffiti.  I was happy to hear that they managed to get a whole bunch of level-headed callers to air before a few I-can’t-argue-but-it’s-just-wrong old dears had their say.

I tried to call in, but could not get through.  I dropped a note on the guestbook instead:

I was so glad to hear such a level-headed discussion of street art on Friday (12 Dec). I subscribe to the theory that street artists are – on some level – unhappy with their urban environment and are seeking to customise/personalise it. Those in the community who are unhappy with the graffiti should stop and ask themselves why it’s there and look at how they might work with the community to fulfil unmet needs/wants.

I don’t tag/stencil myself, but I love taking the camera out when I’m wandering around Canberra and getting shots of the street art that’s around. I figured others would want to share too, so started a group on Flickr in Jan 07 that now has 220 members and 6430 images. It’s at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1212-australian_graffiti/

The whole discussion is worth a read if you’re interested in graffiti and other street art in Australia.