Teenagers at Milton’s Tokomairiro High School are being taught graffiti.
From prehistoric caveman handprints to ribald political slogans carved on pyramids and Roman architecture, graffiti is one of the oldest art forms and some of the year 9 and 10 pupils have found it resonates with more relevance than traditional art.
‘‘I like it because it’s fun and it pops. It can make a statement and more people get to see it,’’ George Stark said, explaining how street art felt more lively for being more colourful, current and accessible.
‘‘Tagging is a kind of graffiti that’s just leaving a signature or marking territory,’’ the pupils agreed as they expressed their understanding of the potential for publicly scrawled political activism or doodles to defile property and offend.
‘‘Street art needs a permit from council or the government after explaining your plan and your work might get funded.’’
Besides the legalities of public art, the classes were inspired by modern legends of the form, such as Keith Haring, Banksy and Lady Pink, and tried their hands with the materials.
‘‘Spray paint is expensive and hard to control, and you need to be aware of the fumes, but you can use different nozzles, and mistakes are easy to go over . . .Street art and murals are useful because they decorate blank space and can cover over other graffiti.’’
Art teacher Carol Bungard said a reason she chose to try the graffiti art module was to observe its effect on pupil engagement.
‘‘I initially wanted something to motivate boys in particular, but all the kids really focus with graffiti and take it seriously.
‘‘Art ought to allow the individual freedom to be and express themselves and graffiti seems to make that idea more accessible, although it’s harder than it looks,’’ Mrs Bungard said.
‘I like it because it’s fun and it pops’
