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Post by Curley on Sept 11, 2009 16:17:26 GMT 1
Love him or hate him  news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/8249419.stmA graffiti vandal responsible for hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage across London stands to make a four figure sum by selling his work. Daniel Halpin was given an ASBO and jailed for spraying his TOX tag on trains and walls for nine years. Now he is selling 100 canvases, bearing his notorious mark, at £75 each. Although the law prohibits people from profiting by criminal acts, the BBC has learned he will be able to keep the cash because of a "glaring loophole". Mr Halpin's spree began in 2001 when the tag TOX01 started to appear. It can be seen as far afield as Paris and one London Underground manager said: "I don't know anywhere you can't see a TOX tag - they are in places even I don't know how to access." At the height of his spree Mr Halpin, from Stockwell, south London, spent four-and-a-half months in Feltham Young Offenders Institution for breaching an ASBO. 'Passion and commitment' In what some graffiti artists call "cashing in" on his notoriety, Mr Halpin has now begun selling prints of his tag through street art company Souled Out. Souled Out owner Chris Bowden said of Mr Halpin's behaviour: "It's an addiction to bombing [painting] trains - he lives for it, and treats it almost like a job with research, passion and commitment. "He just wants to 'get up' more than anyone else - that's all taggers want, to get their tag on as many walls more than anyone else in the hardest to reach spots." The Proceeds of Crime Act prevents convicted criminals from benefiting from their crime. But Christopher Coltart, a barrister and financial crime specialist at 2 Hare Court chambers, told the BBC the legislation would not apply to Mr Halpin. Mr Coltart said: "The difficulty is there is nothing in itself unlawful about him spraying his tag onto the canvas. "The issue is whether he is looking to exploit previous criminal activity which has given rise to his notoriety. "I doubt whether that is covered - you may have identified what is a glaring loophole." The Coroners and Justice Bill - currently going through parliament - is intended to strengthen the law on profiting from crime. But Mr Coltart said the act would still not be enough to retrieve money from the "bulletproof" graffiti artist. He added: "It is morally wrong that he could make money from his vandalism - everyone would agree with that. "That's why it could be viewed as a loophole that needs to be cut off." A Ministry of Justice spokeswoman said: "There is no loophole in the Coroners and Justice Bill - the provisions will target offenders who exploit their offences." ANALYSIS Two anonymous graffiti artists give conflicting opinions on Halpin's work. Against: TOX's stuff is an eye sore that gives graff a bad name. There's no skill or flow involved, its just down and out vandalism - just like kids with markers writing 'I was 'ere'. It's pointless and no-one wants to look at it. Master the art, then hit the streets. For: TOX is one of the greatest graffiti artists I have ever seen. With the ratio of criminal damage against arrests he should be displayed in the Tate Modern. He has embarrassed the police, outwitting all their CCTV and security schemes. He is a genius and an inspiration to all artists. TOX is a urban icon. |
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Post by bullet on Sept 11, 2009 16:21:15 GMT 1
where can you buy these?
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Daniel Silk
Founder 
URBAN ART ASSOCIATION
Posts: 21,606
Location: UK
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Post by Daniel Silk on Sept 11, 2009 16:25:00 GMT 1
Interesting stuff  Thanks for posting that. |
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Post by Curley on Sept 11, 2009 16:29:21 GMT 1
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Post by bullet on Sept 11, 2009 16:31:03 GMT 1
nah thats the print
or are they getting confused the old dears...
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Post by plurker on Sept 11, 2009 16:57:43 GMT 1
or are they getting confused the old dears... i reckon, it's the BBC - they're usually a bit behind the times ;D |
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Post by andrewd on Sept 12, 2009 22:26:42 GMT 1
these were on sale much earlier in the year and the canvases were also available from SOS
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Post by bullet on Sept 13, 2009 1:15:57 GMT 1
not for £75 they wernt
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Post by retardthebear on Sept 13, 2009 2:20:07 GMT 1
they're still sh!t
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Post by digitalkid on Sept 13, 2009 12:28:48 GMT 1
Who would want this on their wall??!!
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 12:29:55 GMT 1
Tox?.
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 12:40:48 GMT 1
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Post by walters on Sept 13, 2009 12:41:13 GMT 1
urban icon  ? cock more like. |
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Post by simococo on Sept 13, 2009 13:27:26 GMT 1
why not have it on the wall
its a tag
it has a significant history
it flows across the canvas like a dolphin
placed next to a parla would be my choice
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 13:32:39 GMT 1
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 18:22:35 GMT 1
I think these Tox prints are wicked!
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Post by sixftjellybaby on Sept 13, 2009 18:33:25 GMT 1
I think these Tox prints are wicked! should have gone to specsavers !!! |
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 18:36:18 GMT 1
I think these Tox prints are wicked! should have gone to specsavers !!! is that where you went? |
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Post by sixftjellybaby on Sept 13, 2009 18:43:15 GMT 1
the man has no talent what so ever ;D
except he can spell and then no bigger words than dog or cat
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Post by hlarmy on Sept 13, 2009 18:56:37 GMT 1
They're s**t... |
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 19:07:34 GMT 1
The Tox print is the best print from this genre that I've seen this year. Don't really think anything else has even come close in 09.
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Post by dynamixx on Sept 13, 2009 20:15:12 GMT 1
TOX is legendary! Anyone else noticed a few more TOX09s popping up over London over the past couple of months? Saw one on the outside of a tube in service on the northern line the other day. Enigma
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Post by bullet on Sept 13, 2009 22:30:50 GMT 1
its pretty strange, i started off hating this fella for many reasons.
but then you realise where he gets to and its beyond belief.
there is nothing to get in this tag, it wont mean anything to you unless you are in London.
this tag is the most notorious tag in Europe by far, often in places not even the people that built the places would know to get to.
The tag just signifies that
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 23:16:54 GMT 1
'they're s**t' i take it you guys won't be taking the test for Mensa?
wonderful critique
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Post by bullet on Sept 13, 2009 23:19:11 GMT 1
did you just ignore that last comment
they are not meant to be beautiful
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 23:26:06 GMT 1
comment not directed at you J - directed at the wonderfully insightful 'they're s**t' comments above in the thread - truly stimulating way to discuss the merits or otherwise of something
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nah
3 Star Member
Posts: 750
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Post by nah on Sept 13, 2009 23:26:59 GMT 1
The Tox print is the best print from this genre that I've seen this year. Don't really think anything else has even come close in 09. Whether or not you're being sarcastic here I actually agree 100% |
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Post by bullet on Sept 13, 2009 23:27:50 GMT 1
comment not directed at you J - directed at the wonderfully insightful 'they're s**t' comments above in the thread - truly stimulating way to discuss the merits or otherwise of something Cool, read it the wrong way.. |
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Post by Guest on Sept 13, 2009 23:27:55 GMT 1
The Tox print is the best print from this genre that I've seen this year. Don't really think anything else has even come close in 09. Whether or not you're being sarcastic here I actually agree 100% me too |
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Post by coach on Sept 14, 2009 0:09:16 GMT 1
Anyone framed one yet? If so, would like to see pic.
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