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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 2 November 2007

Where do we draw line – with Banksy?

Artist’s graffiti wins approval, but there are fears

A row broke out this week after Britain’s most illusive graffiti artist Banksy was given “the freedom of the borough.”
Council staff have been ordered to preserve works by the controversial “guerilla artist” because they are so popular with the public.
However, many residents expressed concern that this might send the wrong message to other lesser skilled wall artists.
Chairman of Islington’s sustainability committee Labour Cllr Wally Burgess said he was uncomfortable with the decision.
He added: “It’s true that Banksy has brought a new class of graffiti to the borough. But what happens to graffiti artists who are not quite so artistic?
“Where do you draw the line? He is different and yes he’s witty – but graffiti can be permanent. You do wonder just what sort of message this is giving.”
Another resident asked if Islington Council should be using council tax payers’ money to preserve any graffiti?
A list of all the paintings on Islington walls by Banksy has been given to the council’s head of environment to stop them from being accidentally painted over by council clean-up teams.
Examples of Banksy art include an image of an old man in Martineau Road, Highbury, and a painting of a hitchhiker in Highgate Hill, Archway.
Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn said: “There’s a huge debate about when graffiti becomes art or art become graffiti. I’m not sure I know where the boundaries are – but like everyone else I know what I like and Banksy is brilliant.”
Lib Dem spokeswoman for Environment Cllr Lucy Watt said if the graffiti is on private property it is up to the owner to decide what they intend to do about it.”We don’t remove graffiti on private property unless people request it,” she said.
“Because Banksy has got such a separate status people have been telling us that they prefer us not to take down some of his works of art.
“They think Banksy art is a real addition to borough. But if its becomes tatty or an eyesore we would have to deal with it on a case by case basis.”

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