| Thanks to former Lord Mayor (now head of Queensland's Liberal/ National Party coalition) "Can Do!" Campbell Newman's zero tolerance approach to graffiti, the crop is not good this time around. : ( Under Newman's guiding hand, a Graffiti Task Force was set up to eradicate all graffiti in public spaces, which has resulted in commissioned street artist's work being painted over, the loss of a vibrant street art culture and potential fines for *private property owners* who fail to report or repair so-called acts of vandalism. Meanwhile, in other cities around the world, street art culture is actively encouraged, and has become a tourist draw card in its own right. Tourists flock to Melbourne and London every year just to see and photograph the street art in lanes and alleyways. The artists are here... they just need to be encouraged. www.cabinet.qld.gov.au www.couriermail.com.au www.couriermail.com.au Music: "Almost Always is Nearly Enough" by Tortoise, off TNT (released in 1998). |
