Artist sentenced on graffiti charge

ON SHOW: Spencer Harrington with some of the work he exhibited last year.

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Self-styled graffiti artist Spencer Harrington has been given a one-year suspended prison term and fined $200 on charges relating to tagging.

The 21-year-old recently appeared at the North Shore District Court where he pleaded guilty to a charge of wilful damage, namely graffiti, at a site on Barrys Pt Rd in Takapuna.

The suspended sentence means if he is caught tagging within the year his previous offence will also be taken into account when he is being sentenced.

Harrington distanced himself from tagging last year while working on a graffiti art exhibition at The Depot Artspace in Devonport.

The images in his exhibition incorporated his graffiti name Random and crew name Psychadelic Headquarters.

He said at the time he hoped his exhibition would enlighten people on the artistic form of graffiti, which he said was separate from tagging and vandalism.

"I want people to see that, if done properly, that stuff can look just as good and amazing as a painting.

"A lot of people, as soon as they think of the word graffiti, think – man, are you a tagger?"

The graffiti found on the wall in Takapuna read Random! and PHQ, North Shore City graffiti prevention coordinator Bruce Wood says.

While Spencer is "a brilliant artist", the penalty is appropriate, he says.

"The message should be made clear to all that if you tag or damage our wonderful city you are now going to be caught and the court will impose a penalty.

"The community is asked to report graffiti 24/7 when ever they see it in our city," Mr Wood says.

"This speeds up the removal process by our great community members who continually remove the damage seven days a week."

He says more volunteers are required to assist with removal.

To find out more phone North Shore City Actionline on 486-8600.

- © Fairfax NZ News