Allowing ‘creatives’ to speak to society without the intentions of being seen, caught, arrested, but ultimately with the intention of gaining recognition and praise. Thus speaking without a voice, a vehicle to give the voiceless a voice. This voice, being that of our ancestors sprung from a time when the only canvas available to express oneself would be geographical. Art of the streets is merely an expression of what once was the only way to express yourself, and apply your own creativity to a place where others can see it. Graffiti artists are not criminals. Criminals are criminals. Graffiti artists are like burglars who approach a property, do not force entry into the property, may enter onto the boundaries of the property, do not proceed to steal anything from the property, however, instead, leave a well crafted, heavily thought out painting that they have spent an extended period of time producing outside of the property for all, including the owners of the property, to admire. The legal system is ruining the ability for graffiti artists to express themselves in the best possible way, and not allowing them produce beautiful pieces of work…bad graffiti is the fault of the law. The criminal title that comes with graffiti is a result of artists producing poorer work with the intention of wanting to put up their masterpiece quicker in order to not get ‘caught’. If graffiti was legal, the pieces produced would add to the beauty of todays architecture, instead it is considered by society to be rushed and vandalism, which is down to the aesthetics of the pieces. Kristian Holmes : I am Kristian Holmes, 32, father of two, surveyor, earning a healthy £60,000 a year. I am Kristian Holmes, 32, notorious graffiti artist voiceless artist under the name of ‘vamp’. Graffiti is not so much about the creativity of the piece for me, it’s all about how big, how many, and where. I target trains for my pieces, trying to reach as many spots as possible, without getting caught. Graffiti for me is not a lifestyle, its an alter- ego. Graffiti for me is not admired by others, it is frowned upon. People see ‘vamp’ as a negative approach to vandalism, looking for an elusive way to destroy the visuals of society through covering up what is normality, with paint. Graffiti for me doesn’t take long, it takes as little time as possible, I get in, I put up, I get out. My work isn’t seen in galleries and doesn’t sell to high bidders. My ultimate aim is to be known without being known at all. I am a criminal in the eyes of the law. My work has caused £250,000 worth of damage to the British railways. Graffiti is graffiti, why is mine considered offensive and criminalized. I am the same as the others. My passion has led to my imprisonment. Ben Flynn: I am Ben Flynn, 44, writer. I am Ben Eine, 44, street artist. Graffiti is not what my work is, my work is street art, which is exactly what it says on the tin. Art on the streets. My work is defined, highly detailed, beautiful, sellable, recognizable, liked. I also thrive for respect and recognition from society, and receive it. My work is allowed and wanted on the streets. My reputation comes from the respect of others, and the want to see more of my work. It is considered to improve the look of the streets and therefore im allowed to do it. Graffiti isn’t about not getting caught for me, its about expressing myself on a canvas that wouldn’t be found in a studio. My passion has led to my fortune. I am a typographist, not a vandal.