The origins of graffiti

THINK graffiti, and you might think Banksy. But mention that to graffiti enthusiast Alain-Dominique Gallizia, and he sputters indignantly: "Banksy is b******t!"

His response isn't all that surprising. Aerosol art is divisive: some celebrate subversive scrawls on public walls, others decry vandalism. Yet others are rehabilitating the art of spray painting by moving it onto canvases and into galleries, and Mr Gallizia is one of them. Selections from his extensive collection of more than 500 works from over 200 artists are now on display at Singapore Pinacothèque de Paris.

Yes, Banksy does important work, Mr Gallizia allows, but there's no artistic merit in spraying paint over a stencil - that's merely street art, not to mention defacement when permission isn't granted. "I am totally against vandalism - with graffiti art, I'm not talking about those who splash colours on the wall and destroy public property," the Frenchman insists.