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The term ‘graffiti’ comes from the Greek
word graphein, which means, ‘to write’.
Graffiti today generally refers to the
illegal defacing of private and public
property in the style of words, colours,
shapes or scratching on buildings,
overpasses, public transport carriages or
infrastructure or other surfaces.
It is often done without permission and in
all State’s and Territories throughout
Australia, it is against the law.
Graffiti is also unsafe for
those who undertake it. Often putting
themselves in dangerous positions where harm
and even death has occurred.
Graffiti vandalism can take
place from a multiple of implements, types
and categories these include;
IMPLEMENTS
Spray Paint
Markers / textas
Acid etching
Shape objects (keys, knife, rocks etc)
TYPES
Tags –A tag is a like a signature, often written in one colour, it is done with curves, letter deformations or acronyms. Tags are not just confined to markers / textas but often can be written in spray paint or etched on glass. Many vandals use specially designed ink/paint re-fill markers that can have a nib of up to 8 inches for the purpose of tagging.
Throw-Ups –A throw-up is usually writing in a solid or bubble style lettering. It is similar to a tag that shows the vandals ‘signature’. This is often under taken over a few days where the outline is done first and then left to see if it will be cleaned. If not, then the vandal/s will come back and ‘fill in’.
Stencils –Stencils are planned vandalism, where the vandal cuts several cardboard pieces out to make their design. These are then used over and over again (see Bombing) in as many places as possible.
Pieces –Pieces are large-scale lettering and designs that are multi-coloured and may include characters, backgrounds and letters. Pieces are intended to be complete colourful works and are most often done with spray paint. Pieces often include the persons tag within the piece.
Etching –There are two types of etching graffiti vandalism. The first, acid etching involves the use of materials containing acid or other chemicals that can eat into the surface leaving a mark on the surface when cleaned. These paints are those primarily used to create frosted glass. On occasions, vandals will use ‘squirt’ type bottles/containers to evade being caught.
The second is graffiti
vandalism of this type involves the
scratching to a surface with a sharpened
tool or object, this is often referred to as
‘dutch’ graffiti.
Bombing –Bombing is the term used to undertake as much of the types of vandalism above in the shortest amount of time and in as many locations as possible. Recently the use of paint rollers to cover and create large amounts of vandalism has started to emerge.
The following three types of graffiti types are areas that governments need to consider as emerging trends within the graffiti culture and are often not considered under current graffiti legislations:
Stickers / Posting – This emerging trend by vandals is to mass produce their vandalism on large amounts of paper or stickers and post their work on buildings and infrastructure using the ‘bombing’ method.
While many states have laws regarding bill posting, some do not, and consideration by all law makers on this new form of vandalism needs to be considered as part of graffiti laws and management plans as well as littering laws.
Many long term vandals are turning to this style as they can ‘Bomb’ areas with the same tag or piece without being noticed or caught by authorities. With todays technology, it is easy for those undertaking this type of graffiti to mass produce their tag and cause more damage in seeking their ‘fame’.
Burning – Burning is a term used by those that use flammable paints and materials to tag property and infrastructure and then set it alight with a flame. The danger and damage is higher than those that use the types listed above and is an increasing concern around the world, including Australia.
Some vandals are also using propane burners to damage infrastructure with their tags.
Dripping / Running – This is when a vandal pours paint or chemicals at a level across the surface to allow that liquid to run down the surface to leave a mark in long streaks down the infrastructure.
Legal Walls* – The last category that is not often considered graffiti vandalism by some, are ‘legal walls/ free walls or commissioned street art’. There is a growing trend by some government departments, local governments and businesses to try and legitimise this form of vandalism or believe that by sanctioning ‘street art’ to tackle graffiti hotspots that the issue will go away.
This is incorrect and research worldwide shows this.
There are many considerations that need to be thought through and the consequences for the surrounding areas before permission or permits are given. We have dedicated a page on the subject of ‘legal walls’, click here to find out more.
Often the government
departments are under taking projects that
go directly against their organisation’s
policy or state law and part of Graffiti
Hurts – Australia’s work will be to promote
and educate government agencies to ensure
they are following government legislation
and their own departments policies.
CATEGORIES
The type of graffiti
vandalism is often categorised under six
different headings, these include;
Hip Hop or Subway style
– So named due to the style the vandal uses
made popular by the Hip Hop culture during
the 1980’s
Opportunistic – These
vandals select the location out of impulse
on the basis that it is low risk of being
caught with low light and/or surveillance.
Gang – A group that
use vandalism to mark territory, create
notoriety, show off their defiance of the
law and disrespect to society and a
community and to pass messages to other gang
members. This can often lead violence.
Political & Social –
Politically motivated to degrade others
political point of view. (also see Racial &
Hate below)
Commercial – An
emerging problem throughout Australia.
Commercial vandalism occurs where a private
organisation or company pays a vandal to
spray advertising logos onto walkways,
building and other infrastructure in order
to promote their product. Commercial
vandalism is an illegal form of advertising
that tries to by-pass normal planning laws.
Racial & Hate – The
worst form of vandalism where it aims to
hurt, vilify or attack a person or group of
people due to nationally, colour, beliefs or
the group they are associated with.
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