Graffiti artists put on controversial show

(9/02/06 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- Graffiti fans and critics are butting heads again, this time over a graffiti show in downtown.

Graffiti artists spray painted downtown businesses Friday night as part of an event called "Keep Houston Dirty." The painters say their work decorates buildings. But a Houston city council member calls it a menace that should not be celebrated in the city.

"There is no place... You are not welcome if you're a graffiti artist and you're putting your vandalism on the buildings in our city," said Houston city councilmember Michael Berry. "There is no place for that. You are not welcome."

"We're basically doing, like, a mural for this bar," graffiti artist Helson Lemus explained. "They wanted something painted, something nice."

Those artists working on Pierce at Milam Friday night were invited by downtown businesses to paint the murals as paid projects. This summer, Mayor Bill White announced a two million dollar plan to clean up graffiti around the city.
(Copyright © 2006, KTRK-TV)

Get more News »

• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•