A quarter of a century ago the New York phenomenon of hip-hop hit Australia. Soon kids were taking pieces of cardboard into parks and shopping centres and break-dancing. And soon Australia's graffiti culture was born.

Setting aside the legalities of graffiti for a second, and setting aside the tags and clearly destructive bits, you have to admit, there is some impressive artwork in many of the full-colour graffiti pieces you see along the trainlines. Melbourne University Press have released this book called Kings Way: The Beginnings of Australian Graffiti. Martin Harvey is one the authors... He spoke to us this week about how graffiti developed in Australia, its impacts, and possible solutions when it comes to the vandalism side of it.

• Are you someone who did graffiti in your youth?
 
• If so what motivated you; Positive / negative experiences?

• Did you stop, and why?

• Some business owners have solved the problem of vandalism on their property, by actually commissioning a graffiti artist to create an art work for their wall. If you've done that I'd love to hear from you.
 
• In recent years new laws have been introduced across Australia banning the sale of aerosol paints to minors, and retailers now have to keep aerosol cans under lock and not on the shelves; but the problem is still there...

• So - what other positive solutions could help tackle the issue - and give kids an alternative, legal outlet to express their artistic leanings.