MEMBERS of the community have voiced their support for the art display at the underpass on The Avenue.

The Avenue underpass in Southampton has been a graffiti site for over 30 years, originally being set up by youth workers in the 1980s to harness the creativity of young people as part of the ‘Beyond Graffiti’ project.

The display at the underpass is still in use to this day, with new artwork being added regularly.

Graffiti artist Vernon Holbrook has been creating art since the 1980s and was involved in the ‘Beyond Graffiti’ project. After more than 20 years away from graffiti, lockdown inspired Vernon creatively and he has been one of the artists contributing to the display at the underpass.

He said: “I’ve been doing graffs since 1985.

Daily Echo: The graffiti art at The Avenue underpass.

“Anyone can paint, anyone can be a graffiti artist, all you’ve got to do is come down with some paint. It’s good to see kids interested in the graffiti instead of on their phones all the time.

“The council have got all this space that they don’t let anyone use, what’s the point of all this space if it’s just ‘aw it’s not doing that’.

“It’s good to have colour in your life.”

Those passing through the art-covered underpass said they were in favour of the art and said the displays add value to the area.

Daily Echo: The graffiti art at The Avenue underpass.

Nick Jones said: “I recently went to Prague and there it’s all over the place, it’s gorgeous.

“I think graffiti is similar to busking, is it music or is it noise?

“If it’s good, it’s art. That there on the wall is beautiful, it’s wonderful. I’m not sure where you draw the line, I suppose art is subjective.

“I think this is really nice though, it brings so much life to an area.”

Passerby Luke Mason added: “I think it’s pretty good, it’s cool. It’s nice to have it in nice spots, you appreciate it more when it’s not all over the city.”

Daily Echo: The graffiti art at The Avenue underpass.

Harry McSweeney added: “I think it’s good for the area, at least when it’s consistently good.

“Like you can see here, it’s 50 per cent graffiti style and 50 per cent art.

“I try not to think of sites like this as graffiti, it’s more like art.”