When you think of graffiti do you think of gang tags and an inappropriate invasion of space? Without question, graffiti is found most frequently in the underprivileged sections of town more so than the upper middle class neighborhoods. Although none are immune if the opportunity presents itself – say at 3 a.m. to a passerby who just happens to be in possession of a spray can or two of paint.
What is the drive behind graffiti? Why is there a need to express an impulse that is continually demonstrated outside the confines of respect for personal space? My cousin Joe, an all-around handyman, told me he was on a Hamilton water heater repairs job and found graffiti in the basement of a customer’s house in the burbs. A testimonial that graffiti can show up in just about any space where there is enough room to make a statement.