Graffiti – street art or crime?

Eidtor's note: Graffiti is a debatable form of art – most people don't particularly perceive it that way. Nevertheless, thousands of auctioneers and collectors are ready to bid millions of dollars in order to add another artistic graffiti piece to their collections. What's your opinion on graffiti? Is it street art or a crime? China Daily readers share with us their views.

Marshhawk (US)

Graffiti is illegal and shouldn't be done. If the person is so interested in painting on buildings and other property, they should do it on paper and murals. Then I would call it art. Doing something illegal should not be called artistic and beautiful in any way, shape or form. It is wrong and shouldn't be done. Everything beautiful should be right.

Photo taken on July 31,2016 shows a giant graffiti painting on Olympic Boulevard in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, July 31, 2016. [Photo/Xinhua]