‘Graffiti artist’ attacks officially commissioned project in city

A “GRAFFITI artist” has struck in the middle of the night to protest about the cost of officially commissioned graffiti in Inverness.

The Highlander, who uses the pseudonym “Ben Wyvis”, launched the attack in the city’s Baron Taylor’s Street, complaining that the original Inverness Old Town Art project on the street’s walls “bled” money from the Scottish Arts Council to fund an event whose end product was temporary and employed many artists from outwith the area.

He added the motto “Art for art sake, money for God sake” to the official graffiti, as pressure mounts on Highland Council to reveal the cost of its commission.

Wyvis told the Press and Journal: “It is difficult making a living as an artist. So, when our own council does not even support Highland artists, what are we to do?

“Most of us can't even pay the mortgage, and we have to watch this nonsense passing itself off as a ‘benefit to the Highland art scene’. My slogan was to highlight the misuse of funding the project has sidelined away from the arts in the Highlands.”

Walls were decorated last week by acclaimed artists from across the UK in an event celebrating the completion of the multimillion-pound Streetscape scheme.

Inverness councillors will be updated on Monday on the perceived success of the artwork they commissioned. They expect a full breakdown of the cost.

While declining to comment on the Ben Wyvis protest, city manager David Haas said: “The event brought significant profile to the city and delivered what it set out to do.

“It’s caused debate, which is excellent, and prompted a lot of strong recognition from some well-respected sources, so we’re pleased with that.”