Graffiti making a mark: Hyderabad artists aim to use street art to take up causes

Hyderabad: A graffiti artist in the city, recently took to the walls near Saidanima tomb, located at the end of Tank Bund, to claim that “graffiti is legal”. However, without clearance from the authorities, any kind of public or street art is illegal and can attract punishment.

In cities across the world, there are particular stretches or blocks of areas where graffiti is legal. Artists from the city state that this might encourage more people to come out and use these spaces to spread messages on social issues.

A lot of the graffiti in the city is usually illegal, according to officials. Serious artists, however, get clearance from concerned authorities before starting work.

Noted artist Laxman Aelay is all set to a start an initiative of public art, which would involve students from fine arts and practicing artists. Mr Aelay too opined that prior permissions should be taken.

The husband-wife team of Vijay and Swathi, who have taken up street art in the city, said, “We take it up after permissions from the property owner or authorities.”

“We were inspired by Banksy and found that graffiti is the medium which is directly taking the art of expression to people, especially to raise a thought with art. To put it in simple words, we are taking art closer to people,” said Ms Swathi.

The couple plans to take up several more projects to promote street art in city.