San Francisco Cracks Down on Graffiti Artists

San Francisco’s underground graffiti scene is usually appreciated, with art galleries and local publications showing respect. But not everyone loves a tag, particularly when it ends up on their home or storefront. In recent years, some artists’ work has become overly prevalent, such as the large-scale sketch of Bart Simpson with a four on his forehead, which even today can be spotted on walls, Muni shelters, and sidewalks around town. When a tag gets that big, the artist best watch out, because SFPD is on the prowl.

On Tuesday, District Attorney George Gascón announced that seven artists have been charged with tagging small businesses and recreational spaces. Chief among them is Tyler Ross, 27, who’s behind the Bart4 pieces. He was arrested in March after an Instagram-savvy follower recognized the location of his livestream and called the cops, and Ross now faces 29 felony charges of vandalism.

Second in line in terms of activity is Jorge Luis Coya, whose tag KRK (or Kick Rocks) is easily recognizable. In an interview with Bombing Science earlier this year, Coya says he grew up in Miami and joined the skate scene when he moved to San Francisco in 2000.

“The definition of graffiti are writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or painted illicitly on a wall or other surface, often within public view. Most of the time without permission,” he said. “That is graffiti. If it has permission, in my eyes it’s art.”

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