IT IS popular in London, New York and Berlin and now street artists may be able to showcase their talent across the Redlands.
Street art is being trialled in a Thornlands park where there have been 22 tagging incidents just on the toilet block in five years.
Redland Bay artist Ben Strand was commissioned to paint panels bolted to the building in an attempt to keep graffiti vandals at bay.
Street art has been found to reduce tagging as vandals respect the work of street artists.
The artwork at the Thornlands park, and soon at an Alexandra Hills park, are also coated in clear paint for protection from the elements and vandals.
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Cr Paul Golle said street art could save money spent on graffiti clean-ups.
“It takes away the big-stick approach to graffiti and engages local artists,” he said.
Cr Golle said if the trial was successful he would introduce street art into other public spaces and encourage other councillors to do the same.
“The artwork Ben produces is spectacular,” he said.
“We can incorporate designs that are aesthetically pleasing and pick a theme for each park.
“It’s part of place-making and having a draw-card that will encourage people to visit our parks and spend time there.”
Cr Golle said if street art proved successful, it could be incorporated into future designs.
Mr Strand, who has been paid to transform walls at shopping centres, businesses and houses, said street art had gained attention across the world.
”I hate illegal tagging but I think that artistic ability should be showcased,” he said. “Street art is an amazing art form.”
Mr Strand encouraged youth interested in street art to join him painting walls legally or ask property owners for space.
He will also run workshops for youth at risk who are interested in developing their artistic skills.
“I want to change the image of graffiti art because it has an appeal for such a huge range of ages.”
Council works with the mobile graffiti reporting system VandalTrak to respond to illegal tagging. Stencilling and coloured paint has also been used on parks and skating facilities to deter graffiti vandals.
Anyone interested in taking part in Ben Strand’s workshops can contact him via his Facebook page BAOK Murals or Instagram account baoks333