Contested meanings of the Deptford Creekside Arches [DCA] urban art palimpsest

The research's purpose was to gain insight into the processes and practices of urban art at Deptford Creekside Arches (DCA). There has, to my knowledge, been no other research completed on this topic. My aims and objectives were based on discovering the artists motivations and intentions on getting the urban art 'up' at DCA. I employed mixed research methods, consecutively; including a spontaneous telephone interview and a structured, remote interview for two professional and academic artists, a spontaneous wall interview with a single painter, an observation of a small group and a semi-structured interview with a lone urban artist, a formally structured public on-site public interview (with thirty-eight participants), an e-mailed questionnaire with one other public interviewee and a structured remote interview with the British Transport Police (involving two officers). The results revealed that the urban art walls; are tolerated and that the activity is more meaningful than the art itself, with the walls a focal point of interest for walkway users. The authorities were generally benign and understanding, only removing images if controversial, or offensive, in terms of messaging with urban art activity tolerated. The main take-home message is the meaning of the urban art movement. Additional findings of note are the use of the walls as a designated, practice palette. The main implication for the future: is the potential for increasingly draconian and punitive approaches by the authorities from a legal enforcement perspective.