It pays to be a vandal $

People are often reluctant to accept graffiti as a genuine art form. Many simply see public defecation of property and messy tags, a symptom of urban blight, and incorrectly associate it with gangs and crime. A few writers however have managed to break past the stigma and attain international praise from the art community. Graffiti writer KR started out your typical graffiti artist who started selling his own homemade markers with his signature drippy style. Since then Craig "KR" Costello has achieved international fame in the art community, collaborating with the likes of Kidrobot, Levi's, even Mini Cooper. Kaws began on the illegal graffiti circuit too but is now one of the most household names in street culture period. From magazine articles to private art shows to life sized statues worth $8000 a pop, to even his own exclusive line of street wear, Kaws has shown the world the marketability of graffiti and has opened the door for other artists wanting to cash in on their talent.

KR's signature drippy tag



Krink exhibit in Tokyo

Kaws x Spongebob

Kaws statuette. These literally fetch around US$8000

The clothing line is pretty clean too. Notice the signature X's?