Banksy Tile ‘Graffiti Is A Crime’

Banksy’s artwork “Graffiti Is A Crime” shows two boys, one standing on the back of the other to grab a spray can hanging from a sign that reads “Graffiti is a crime”. This work appeared in New York City in 2013 during Banksy’s “Better Out Than In” residency. The sign was already in place before Banksy applied his stencil, suggesting that he was responding to the existing environment.

Although Banksy has made no direct statement about this specific work, it is widely interpreted as a commentary on the paradox of graffiti: it is a form of art and self-expression, but is often labeled as criminal. By depicting children trying to obtain a spray can, Banksy emphasizes the appeal of graffiti and the urge for creative expression, even in the face of legal prohibitions.

This work fits within Banksy’s broader themes, in which he often explores the boundaries between art and vandalism and questions the role of authority in defining what is accepted as art. His choice to set this piece in New York, a city with a rich history of street art and graffiti, amplifies the message and invites the audience to reflect on the value and perception of such art forms.

Size: 10x10cm