Urban Art Association

My view for what its worth on all Graffiti is that if it enhances anything with art especially clever art then its absolutely fabulous, even funny things that some people wouldnt call art or clever words/ wordplay, and as Banksy said the advertisers fill up every space with their shit so why not but if its some dick spraying their tag then I hate it.

Have to agree with this - Tagging IMO looks rubbish, and is basically self promotion, it screams "me, me, me" and aesthetically is an eyesore.
It basically makes a dreary depressing commute an even more awful experience if that's possible.

"look everybody I've sprayed my tag over every conceivable track-side object and station along every square meter of a railway line 40 miles into London and out the other side!!! - it's not the quality that matters, it's the quantity!!!"

Complete shit.

But, art that makes a point, asks a question, catches the viewer by surprise, makes him or her think or burst out laughing - then I welcome it.

I was involved about 20 years ago, and used to think anything was fair game, Now I'm older i don't feel that way anymore.
Back in the day you could see stuff that was breathtaking, and for anyone involved in the scene you could appreaciate what it took put something up. I know some very talented guys from years ago who sad to say, don't earn a living from the obvious talents they have.

I still get a buzz travelling across the country on trains and seeing what the crazy kids of today are doing, ahhh when i were a lad....................

I don't agree - he's selling himself. Shameless self promotion - and it looks shit.

There, I've said it. ;D

Yeah agreed I'd pay 10% more for a train with a bar

Banksy was ever alert to painting his message where it would last, hence rats did not generally appear on the junction boxes of the big utility companies who have the resources to paint over them. Can only think of one Banksy on a train, Laugh Now. Eine however has some train stuff on his site.
Cartrain, it's up to you but if I was you I'd find other stuff to paint.

it was henry chalfont's book 'subway art' that got me in to graffiti and art in general. at the time new york subway trains were the canvass of choice for people i see as pioneers of this scene, forget blek le rat, mad and seen all the way. and dondi and futura.
however, it was and is very much 'of it's time'. life and times move on, things evolve and with out the fore fathers we would not be sitting where we are now. that said though we are at least at the next level and should be looking to push beyond that, so if you are asking for my thoughts on subway art then all i would say is that it had it's time and it's place in history, at least for me, now though it's about something else, somethinmore for me.

not just about getting to inaccessable positions to express yourself but getting there and expressing yourself in a unique, iconic and toughtful way. the bar has been raised and all the better for it.

I think it's great if it's doe well, but it's not. It's just 2 colour dubs on the side of sheds.

Long gone are the days of beautiful pieces on the sides of the tracks. It's now just kids trying to paint their name in as many places as poss. It looks rubbish. Like Cap says in "style wars" it's quantity not quality.

There used to be some great stuff under the westway back in 84 / 85. People actually used to take their time in painting. I remember before the skate park was built - that area used to be a gallery. Even Futura 2000 (as he was known) painted there.

There are some great graffiti writers around who put a lot of work into
their tags...

Mister Sorn seems to have a great talent, I wish some of this stuff was available on canvas or board!

www.lost.art.br/124_wholetrain.htm
Brazil is the best

I think that train also had a few of banksys rats on it near the back of the train