Graffiti Artists Declare War on Art Galleries

"

Prominent graffiti artists in Melbourne have declared their intentions to rid the city of the ‘scourge of legitimate art’ currently being fostered in institutions like the National Gallery of Victoria.

This apparent turf war does not end at art galleries alone. Any space, public or private, that may house artworks or hang paintings on walls; such as libraries, council offices and schools may be subject to attacks by the so-called Art Jihad group.

Senior member of the paramilitary spray-painting clique Darryl ‘Daz’ Edwards says that the time has come for a full-on assault against art galleries and their ilk, calling on all citizens to stop this ‘menace on good taste’.

“It’s not only ugly, it’s a serious criminal offence, or at least it should be” Edwards said in a statement released today, referring to the ‘rogue galleries’ that operate without government funding. “It’s ugly, distracting and not a very good example for other nations, considering the Commonwealth Games are coming up”.

However, the CEO of the Victorian Art Galleries Association had a different take on the issue. “We are sick of our work being undermined by the presence of public spaces that condone art in some forms, but not others” Stuart McGraw said. “Artworks hung or erected inside buildings and galleries have just as much validity as those spray-painted on trains and fences.”

Works of ‘art’ in galleries deprive councils of an estimated $1.6 million in revenues each year.

"