“Imagine a city where graffiti wasn’t illegal, a city where everybody could draw whatever they liked. Where every street was awash with a million colours and little phrases.” Banksy, Wall and Piece.
I am always excited by the vibrant colours graffiti artists use. It is an animated surprise to find an unexpected work of art around a corner. Although it is at large an illicit form of expression, it is actually a pass time that originates from ancient times. In many instances graffiti brightens up a dark back street or the underneath of a dirty free way. The message however isn’t always as cheerful as the colours, with underlying social or political stances being sprayed.
An explosion of graffiti colours from the streets of Berlin, London, Melbourne and New York.
Join in and spread a little magic with the weekly photo challenge.
Chasquita 
Great minds think alike! See my graffiti color post at http://www.travelsandtrifles.wordpress.com
Love yours!
Just paid you a visit… love your style.
Fantastic thanks! Will Check in on you when I’m back home!
I’ll share this with our younger daughter who’s also an artist and loves graffiti. You’re right about the messages,though. I wonder if graffiti artists were paid to do their art in places where it would liven things up and it was legal, whether they would do it or if too much of the fun is the illegality of it?
janet
It is certainly a controversial issue. It would be great to create open spaces for graffiti that is legal, I am sure it would put some people off and there will always be those who just want to vandalise in places where they shouldn’t. In Melbourne you can apply for a permit to have street art on your building or even seek approval from the council for a piece to stay if the community approve. I think many people appreciate this kind of work. The most offensive is those who feel the need to tag (put their name/ mark) on a building which is definitely a form of vandalism on private property and a criminal offence.
I’m definitely not for vandalism, that’s for sure. Sounds as though Melbourne is dealing with it in a balanced way.
janet
I always enjoy looking out of trains to see graffiti in the most unusual places! It indeed is so creative!
Sometimes you wonder how on earth the artist managed to even reach such an unusual place!
Beautiful!