Mar 24 2004

By Emma Race

Graffiti is positive art, says a Coventry club promoter, who was so impressed with the work of taggers Dock and Dobe that he's given them work.

Shadie, 30, of Stoke, who is also a DJ, said: "They are artists. I've got them to work on promotional projects for me over the last few days. I'm as interested in employing them as I am any artist. They've got gusto."

Shadie, of Terry Road, who runs club nights in the city but also works as a forklift truck driver, defended graffiti artist Dock, accused of causing £40,000 worth of damage by spraying his designs on walls throughout the city.

In Monday's Evening Telegraph, Dock, 20, said he painted his "tag" on hoardings, in car parks and on buildings in the city because Coventry can seem "grey and lifeless".

Shadie agreed, and said he believed graffiti actually benefited the community. He continued: "Graffiti is a way people express themselves all over the world. It's urban art.

"In Amsterdam, artists are given money to do their work and a place to paint.

"In Barcelona, the art is done in skateparks and provides a place for young people to go.

"In Coventry, people trying to express themselves through art are hunted down like dogs.

"Graffiti is the most modern form of art. It's about people taking ownership of their community.

"In 40 years' time the council will be gone, but this will still be our town, our inner city and that's what it's about."

For Shadie, true graffiti is all about marking your environment in a way that fosters pride.

He added: "Graffiti does not make people fear crime or encourage crime.

"Young people being crushed when they try to find an outlet, and kids being left without facilities or anything to do, creates crime.

"If a kid has a can of spray paint in their hand they don't have a knife. They've found an outlet and should be encouraged."