One of the artists involved with the graffiti on Woodside saw the area as a free canvas in which to practice his art. He feels that there is no harm in painting on derelict buildings that are ignored by the general public.

Often starting with just rough sketches on scraps of paper, most graffiti artists do not have the qualifications or the background to make it big as a legal artist in the traditional sense, so instead they take their work to the streets.

"This is how some graffiti artists make it big. They refine their art on the streets and then take it to the next level, gaining the skills to break into the world of art and design."

Publicised on posters, the government’s new “Name that tag” campaign offers financial rewards to those prepared to “shop” a graffiti writer.

One of the Woodside artists, who wished to remain anonymous, feels that such anti graffiti campaigns made by the government only serve to encourage the rebellious youth who are flocking in droves to take up graffiti.

“At the moment graffiti and its associated street culture is big business in the world of fashion, design and music. “Graffiti has become synonymous with coolness and street cred, even making it’s way onto the can design of fizzy drink, Sprite.”

The majority of graffiti writer’s work is illegal; although some writers are commissioned for murals, shop interiors etc. Writers spray their tags as an identifying logo for other writers to notice. This encourages an element of competition between the graffiti writers. Those with the most tags “up” achieve the most fame and most notoriety.

Government agencies suggest a strong link between graffiti and the fear of crime. The home office states, ” graffiti creates an environment where crime and anti social behaviour thrive.”

At the BCAF AGM a strong anti graffiti feeling was expressed by those who attended. John Clark, speaking for New Deal, pledged to get rid of graffiti from our neighbourhood. This is in line with new government policies on anti-social behaviour such as banning spray paint sales to under 18’s and stronger powers for local agencies to tackle graffiti writing.

What is certain is that this graffiti did not have a part to play in the dereliction of the Woodside area. It seems only to highlight the years of neglect this neighbourhood has suffered under Sheffield City Council management.

Along with the graffiti, most of the Woodside buildings will be gone as this article comes to press, and with an uncertain future, it would seem that the writing is on the wall for graffiti artists in the Burngreave area.