Belfast west

Please Respect Artwork

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

There is either no artwork or no respect on the Cupar Way “peace” line, as tourists sign their names and leave messages (some thought patronising: see Fuck You & Your Patronising Slogans) on the wall without regard to whatever they’re writing over. The Face (on the right), by Kevin Killen (web | NVTv) and participants in a local training programme (Irish Revolution), is composed of cogs and other mechanical pieces, intending to represent the importance of industry in Shankill (and Belfast) life.

Related: A Dialogue On The Nature Of Art | Fuck Art | An Essay On The Necessity Of Art.

See also: State Art Vs Graffiti On The West Belfast “Peace” Line.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04770

Artist Kevin Killen gave voice to the programme: “The Face relates to the themes of Belfast industries. Working with the young adults in Impact Training, we designed and fabricated the artwork. Being a part of the project was rewarding and insightful to everyone involved. As the group was a part of the process from start to finish they have developed ownership of the artwork, which is an important benefit. I hope that the artwork gives pride to all the participants involved in the project.” (Irish Revolution)

Crom Abú

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

O’Donovan Rossa GAC (web | tw | Fb) dates back to 1916, just one year after the death of republican Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa (at whose funeral Padraig Pearse gave the oration – “The fools, the fools …”). “Crom abú” is a war-cry of the ancient FitzGeralds as they attacked the O’Donovan fortress at Crom, Co. Limerick. Some of those fleeing eventually settled in Rosscarbery, Co. Cork, which is where Jeremiah was born in 1831. The sword is a symbol of justice, the snake of wisdom.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04780 X04779

Free Yourself From Mental Slavery

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This bleak and wintry scene, with snow about to fall, is of the garages between Shaws Road and Corrib Avenue. The words of Bob Marley’s Redemption Song echo Epictetus’s doctrine: “Free yourself from mental slavery – none but ourselves can free our minds”.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04778

Total Eclipse Of The Sun

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“96” is the number of deaths in the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster, in which Liverpool fans were crushed to death in Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium. In the days afterward, the Sun newspaper printed allegations that drunken fans attacked and urinated on rescue workers. The newspaper apologised in 2004 but hostility towards the paper persists, with some – as in this image – refusing even to spell it in full. The taxi was spotted in Beechmount. For more on the 2016 inquest, see Hold Your Head Up High.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04772

Choice

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This striking art – perhaps an anti-drugs message? – is on the outside wall of the Turf Lodge Tenants’ Association & Social Club (Fb) – or simply “The Green Hut” – which served as a community centre during the Troubles. For a history, see the middle part of the NVTv programme The Edge Of The World.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04774 X04775 X04773

It Can’t Be Made More Equal

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Posters on a drainpipe on the Falls Road next to Gerry Carroll’s constituency office: “Keep Stormont closed. Smash Stormont – It can’t be made more equal, less corrupt or used to promote socialism. Close it now! Sign the petition … Published by Socialist Democracy.”

With “Saol trí Ghaeilge [atá uainn]” below [We want life using Irish].

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X05994

The Sons Of Ulster

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

The map in the lower left corner of this WWI commemorative mural shows the defensive lines of both the Allies and the Central Powers. As the inscription on the mural describes, the Ulster Tower is situated close to the Schwaben Redoubt, the primary objective of the 36th Division on the first day of battle.

The plaque (shown second, below) refers to a similar mural painted in 2010.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04711 X04710 X04724 conway st This Tower is dedicated to the glory of God in grateful memory of the officers and men of the 36th (Ulster) division, and of the sons of Ulster in other forces who laid down their lives in the Great War, and of all their comrades-in-arms who, by divine grace, were spared to testify to their glorious deeds. The Ulster Tower stands on what was the German front line during the Battle of the Somme, 1st July to 18th November 1916. It was erected on the site of the Schwaben Redoubt, a strongly fortified position which the 36th (Ulster) Division made it’s historic charge on 1st July 1916, and within close proximity to the village of Thiepval. 32,186 killed, wounded, missing. greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends

Wren Day

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Though the tradition might pre-date Christianity, on the day after Christmas – known also as Boxing day and St Stephen’s day – the wren (the king of winter and symbol of the past year) is hunted by strawboys or mummers who disguise themselves with straw headgear and make a parade and go around the houses asking for money to bury the wren.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04722 glen rd

White Square

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

A whitewashed panel in the style of a inverse Kazimir Malevich. The panel was painted in preparation for No Justice (Rosaleen & Mervyn Macdonald).

Today’s (two) posts are two in a (very infrequent) series of ‘accidental fine art’. See previously Composition With Orange, Bathroom Tile, And Dolphin Wallpaper | Composition With Electrical Cable And Shadow Of Power Line.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03975 glen rd

Pearse Jordan

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Pearse Jordan was unarmed when he was killed by the RUC on November 25th, 1992 but in this new Éıre Nua Flute Band board he leaves his prints on an assault rifle. (previous Éıre Nua board) His killing was ruled unlawful, and subsequent inquest insufficient, by the European Court Of Human Rights in 2001. The campaign for an inquest continues (An Phoblacht).

The words on the board – “Slan [sic] go foıll [sic] moh [sic] chara, just for a while/We’ll not have your craic, your jokes, or your smiles/But in years to come, your memory’s still true/A brave son of Ireland, we will not forget you” – are the chorus of The Ballad Of Pearse Jordan (words | sung by The Irish Brigade).

The board is in Hugo Street, which is also the site of his memorial plaque, just above the Evolution Of Our Revolution, as seen in the second image, below.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04695 X04709