In 2006, I began a project that started off with initially photographing what I would term as, 'classic' graffiti in an area of Norwich, which had been allocated space (allegedly) for graffiti artists to show off their work legitimately.

I had spotted the graffiti only briefly whilst driving past it in my car, but I had seen enough of it to make it a 'definite date' to visit with my camera, and as such the first ten photographs in this book are great examples of such 'classic' graffiti produced by talented artists with a license to paint!

But as I was photographing these large colourful works of art, it was becoming very clear to me that these pieces alone, were not going to be enough for me as a project and my ever-searching mind and eye for unusual detail!

And so the journey began of exploration for other types of urban expression, and just yards away from where I had started the initial project, I came across sticky labels posted on signs with unique signatures, paper cutouts of bubble text and unusual patterns, hurriedly sprayed free hand and stenciled graffiti of artists signatures, expressions and symbolisms.

All unique in style depending on the method and creativity used at the time of conception, this 'drive by' style of graffiti was produced with a totally different mindset to the 'classic' graffiti at the beginning of the project, due to the amount of time it takes to complete, mainly because its illegal!

Which is what graffiti was originally all about, producing complex colourful artwork in unusual places on owned property where it could be seen by the public wondering how and when it got there, as well as being a statement to the establishment.

This is what I was looking for, what most would call vandalism, self-published art by those getting their work out there for all to see, but never being able to claim their work publicly because it was all done covertly and against the law!

And this is one of the reasons that draws to me to photograph such complex and visual works, because of how and why its done, along with the surface it has been created on, combined with its urban surroundings, forming a new meaning when all photographed together.

And with this change of thinking in mind, the combination of all these differing elements comes together as one, thus producing hopefully an appreciated 'photographic' body of work in its own right.