Tables turn for Malaga Midas

A POPULAR Spanish lottery administration offered work to Malaga’s mysterious graffiti Midas just hours after he was arrested and fines were announced for his controversial artwork.

The 20-year-old man, who lives with his parents in La Cala del Moral, was caught by the police last week after sparking intense debates by painting litter bins, benches and other urban fittings gold in Rincon de la Victoria and Malaga City.

While some called it art, others said it was some sort of campaign and the more straight-laced called it plain vandalism.

Although Rincon has promised not to fine the culprit and is even considering inviting him to help with new projects, Malaga City has declared that fines will be issued for damage to public property.

But good news followed bad as the young artist received a phone call from Xavier Gabriel, owner of the Bruja de Oro (Golden Witch), one of Spain’s best known lottery ticket establishments, to offer him work.

“I doubt the council will let us paint the litter bins, but if you like you can transform our terrace,” Gabriel told the young man over the phone.

“He said he’d been following my project in the press and wanted me to go to Sort and do whatever I liked with the terrace,” the 20-year-old mystery painter explained.

“I’m really pleased. Although it wasn’t part of my original idea, now I have the chance, I’ll take it up and do something to do with my project while I’m there,” he said.