Closing Statements

Poverty Discourse

-          Presence of graffiti in poverty stricken areas.

-          Graffiti is also seen in more affluent areas.

-          This act seems to depend on the individual, not necessarily their socio-economic background.

Social Identity

-          An expression of identity and presence e.g. Graffiti displaying names or gang symbolism to mark territory or as a way to show they are tough or cool.

Subcultures

-          Relevance and use of graffiti in different realms: graffiti accepted in closed of areas, such as a skate park, while not deemed acceptable in the ‘wider world’.

-          Can dictate when and where graffiti is deemed criminal or non-criminal.

Criminality

-          Some forms of graffiti are organised and deemed non-criminal e.g. community murals.

-          Other forms of graffiti are deemed criminal e.g. graffiti over an organised mural, graffiti on public or personal property.

Property Discourse

-          Graffiti upon some forms of property may provide a different reaction from the public, as well the individual graffiti-ing.

-          ‘Public’ property and ‘private’ property both experience graffiti.

-          The reaction towards these can differ. Graffiti upon less valuable ‘public’ property or graffiti that is less visible may not evoke as strong a public reaction as more valuable ‘public’ property or graffiti upon an individual’s ‘private’ property.

-          Less valuable ‘public’ property may not be a deterrent to stop individuals graffiti-ing, knowing that public ignorance will be the result.