Graffiti artists take a risk to create their work on the streets, and a new company also works overnight to frame the dangerous and illegal art form.
Artist lovers in New York City can pay NYC WallMart to frame any piece of graffiti in the city and have the company hang an engraved plaque with their name on it, according to New York Daily News. "Buyers" receive a certificate of authenticity for pieces that can range between $100 and $300.
NYC WallMart wanted to start a conversation about who owns street art - the graffiti artist or the building owner - as well as make money, company representative "John" told the Daily News. He wanted to keep his real name secret due to the "semi-illegal" nature of the business.
In its first three weeks, the company has framed four graffiti works, all in Brooklyn, and one frame has already been removed. One piece goes for $111 but jumps to $295 with custom framing.
Graffiti artistists might not agree with someone else making money off their self-expression. Some taggers consider their work a contribution to the "public good," Jeff Stirewalt, who leads a graffiti and street art tour in Brooklyn, told the Daily News.
"It doesn't have that same accessibility, openness, authenticity," Stirewalt said.
John finds it "interesting that anyone has a claim to their own art," given the unclear ownership rights of the work.
