HENDOG: An artist or criminal? 

Graffiti art more commonly known as street art, which is the process of using spray paint and other materials to create colourful and detailed pieces of art in public spaces.

However beautiful this can be, it is still a criminal offense. But for one man, this has never stopped him. 

Hendog is an anonymous street artist famous all across Winchester and beyond.

He takes intricate handmade stencils and creates layers upon layers of detailed paintings that you might have seen hidden around the city centre. 

The same city centre where it all started for him and his career.

He grew up in Winchester on a council estate, living a relatively basic and normal lifestyle. From a young age he has always been fascinated with art, always drawing or doodling.

But even though he was good at art, his passion and drive to become successful only really stemmed during the pandemic.

Hendog said:“I didn’t take it seriously until the pandemic.

“I got really into it as a hobby over the pandemic and I released my first piece that just seemed to blow up. Everyone seemed to love it.”

And love it, they did. Some of Hendogs first pieces are some of his most popular and beloved ones from tiny bears, kids with daisy chains to colourful brick walls.

After making such a name for himself across social media and other platforms, this artist still chooses to remain in the shadows.

Only coming out in the early hours of the morning to create art for the public to enjoy.

But why be anonymous?

Essentially, Hendog stated that what he does is illegal. He knowingly commits this illegal act of graffiti all for the spirit of art and creating art.

But this is one of many reasons why this mysterious artist has yet to reveal himself.

He said: “I have no desire to be known. I am perfectly okay with my life exactly how it is.”

When tackling the debate of whether graffiti is art or vandalism our local superstar street artist Hendog had a lot to say on the matter.

“In terms of art, art is subjective. You decide what art is.

“If you look at it and think that is artistic then it is art but if you don’t then I guess not.

“In terms of vandalism, it can’t be art or vandalism it’s either art or not art.

“The only person that can decide whether it was vandalism is the owner of the wall.”

So is it art or vandalism?

Is he an artist or a criminal?

The truth is it is both.

Art is subjective and can only be determined by the eye of the viewer.

By law it is vandalism but that has never stopped artists like Hendog from creating these masterpieces we all know and love.