Graffiti artists look to the past for inspiration (From Thurrock Gazette)

Graffiti artists look to the past for inspiration

4:11pm Monday 2nd March 2009 in News

Graffiti artists at work in Grays

A GRAFFITI Project has enabled young artists to transform part of Grays High Street into a historical community mural.

Budding artists from Thurrock took part in the Grays Beyond Graffiti Project which is designed to educate participants on both the negative aspects of graffiti and the positive aspects of art and design.

The project’s fifteen dedicated young people worked together on the community mural project, which involved them using their artistic skills by researching, designing and creating a wall painting at the pedestrian walkway.

Cabinet member for Public Protection, Coun Ben Maney said: “This project is a good way to encourage young people to use their artistic and design skills in a positive community project as well as to learn more about their local history.

“Graffiti is not a victimless crime. It is a form of criminal damage. There is a financial cost to remove the graffiti to the householder, business or local taxpayer.”

“Through the Grays Beyond Graffiti Project, participants spend time cleaning illegal graffiti and are educated about the negative impact on their community that graffiti vandalism causes, the legal consequences and the financial costs.”

The Safer Thurrock Partnership funded project is a joint programme which sees Thurrock Council’s Be Smart Environmental Education Programme, Thurrock Youth Offending Service, Connexions, Brave Arts and Essex Police working together with these young artists.

Images that can be seen in the Crown Road walkway include depictions from the dinosaur and stone ages through to the modern era and the future. Local landmarks including The State Cinema are also included.