MULLANEY MAKES MARK IN GRAFFITI PARK

30-08-2007

Birmingham' camcorder councillor Martin Mullaney is back on the screen again...this time highlighting a spate of arrests for graffiti offences at Selly Oak's "pocket park". He believes it should remain as an unofficial tolerance zone.

Mullaney says that since 1984, the authorities have turned a blind eye to taggers and graffiti artists who've used the park, but claims that in recent weeks there's been an unannounced change of policy.

A number of youngsters who believed they were immune from prosecution have now been nicked.

"The place has become an absolute eyesore" Mullaney admits. But he adds, "My concern is we're going to throw the baby out with the bathwater."

His film is designed to differentiate between the vandals and those who use the form as a medium of creative expression.

"There is artistic merit" he insists.

"Let's try and get this park back under control, make it nice and tidy, kick out the taggers and concentrate on the art."

Mullaney tells us that he'll be a defence witness for a young artist in an upcoming court case, arguing that the youngster believed it was OK to spray in the pocket park.

The Kings Heath and Moseley councillor has previously attempted to set up an indoor venue for graffiti artists at the Epic Skate Park (see here) although sadly this was scuppered when the licensee sold up.

He has also persuaded Birmingham City Council to set up a scrutiny committee to examine the issue.

You can see Pete Millington's gallery of official and unofficial public art here