Work by artist Hugh Clawson (whose web presence is extremely modest) inside Conway Mill showing life in the mill and the lower Falls/Clonard area from years gone by. Painted directly onto an interior wall.
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02756 st peter’s pro-cathedral divis mill worker window washer
CNB15 street art from Inkie (Fb) featuring a woman reading a book by (Belfast-born) CS Lewis (WP), possibly because the piece is in Kent Street behind the Central Library.
From Inkie for CNB14: Sleep Sweetly and for CNB13: Lost Soul.
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03052 read and weep tom bingle
The board featured here (above and three shots below) has a dual purpose. On the one hand, it is part of celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle Of Britain, which was waged from July to October in 1940. On the other, it is part of an anti-racism project, celebrating in particular the contributions to the Battle made by roughly 145 Polish aviators (WP) and especially the 303 squadron: “The Polish nation – part of us then, part of us now”. The 303 was later stationed in Northern Ireland for a time. (BBC-NI)
The artist is Ross Wilson. The colour version of the central photograph is available at the Housing Executive’s write-up of the project. Other reports: Belfast Live | NewsLetter
Video of speeches from the launch:
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02994 X02995 X02996 X02997 churchill never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few 21st august 1940 after the invasion of poland by germany on september 1st 1939 many young polish airmen made their way to britain the luftwaffe had full control of the skies over poland and any attempt to fight there would have been futile a rapidly modernising royal air force was an attractive alternative especially as they had been equipped with the ultra-modern spitfire and hurricane fighter planes with a shortage of experienced pilots polish airman became the largest group of non british personnel in the RAF during the battle of britain they joined already established squadrons in fighter command however on july 13th they were given their own squadrons one of these was the highly successful 303 polish squadron during the battle destroyed more aircraft than any other fourth highest tally of all 2nd world war shot down 20% of all experience of seeing their homeland at the mercy of the german forces hardened their resolve regarded by fellow pilots as highly focused and courageous josef frantisek highest scoring fighter ace had it not been for the magnificent material contributed and their unsurpassed gallantry i hesitate to say that the outcome of the battle would have been the same air chief marshall sir hugh downing per ardua ad astra we do not forget that you were the first to resist the aggressor neither do we forget that you came after manifold trials to our aid when we most needed your help your valiant fighting alongside in the forefront helped to restore the fortunes of the allies throughout the years of struggle in good times and bad you have stood by us and shared their losses and their victories sir archibald sinclair british air minister letter to polish airmen 1945 general sikorski honours rations outside their mess hut john alexander kent feric grzeszcczak zumbach lokuciewski hennerberg daszewski szaposznikow from this day to the ending of the world we in it shall be remembered we few we happy few we band of brothers for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother henry V william shakespeare the legend of 303 polish squadron they gave their lives high up there somewhere where earthly matters are so distant the rays of the sun so pure and god so close we must wonder if mankind is yet aware of the credit that is their due pete bleakley ross wilson housing executive lower shankill community association
Braddell & Sons sell fishing equipment in North Street and this year for CNB15 their shutters got the Elph treatment: a boy sits fishing in a mind-melting landscape. The little fish named “Fish” on the left (in the wide shot below) is for a guy who used to play the arcades further up the street. (Fb)
Previously by Elph: The Piano Has Been Smoking | Eyes Wide Shut | The Imaginarium | Let’s Melt
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
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The lower Shankill estate has been re-imaged (again). The history of re-imaging in the lower Shankill is told by the new piece at Boundary Way: the wall first sported a mural critiquing Sinn Féin’s role in the peace process (see this 2004 image) before being replaced around 2007 by a mural celebrating Andrew Jackson’s Ulster-Scots heritage (see X00285). The new work sends a mixed message: the word “resilient” is in large letters and is the title of the piece, but the quote reads “Stop calling me “resilient”. Because every time you say “Oh, they’re resilient,” that means you can do something else to me. I am not resilient.” The quote would seem to be by Tracie Washington (not: Tracie Jackson) of the Louisiana Justice Institute. The left-hand side wall, which read “UDA Est. 1971” was painted over. For a description of the launch, see this Housing Executive report. Five printed pieces (four of them new this year) have replaced various murals in the area.
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03074 X03075 The title of this artwork reflects a slogan used internationally, where social and political change has been paramount. It is understood that such change emerges only through true and thorough consultation with the community and that is the wish of residents of the Lower Shankill – to affect social change and move forward through collaboration with decision makers and government, at every level. Artist Lesley Cherry worked with members of the Lower Shankill Community Association who felt that this slogan best described how they are feeling as a community in relation to social change, redevelopment, education, housing and employment. They also felt that this slogan, best described their struggle in attaining what is best for their community, at present and also, how it can shape their future. This artwork was funded by the Housing Executive, working in partnership with the Lower Shankill Community Association. The artwork replaces a mural of Andrew Jackson, 7th President of the United States of America, whose family originated from Carrickfergus and a mural commenting on the Northern Irish Peace Process. effect
The South Belfast UDA this week issued a statement that they “won’t be leaving any stage whilst republicans of any faction still exist”. As the Newsletter article notes, the South Belfast branch of the UDA does not speak for the whole organization. Until confirmed, then, the new mural above – “Welcome to the loyalist Lower Shankill – UDA 2nd Batt. C. Coy” – provides only circumstantial evidence …
Elsewhere: Join the South East Antrim UDA: Glenfield Community Association.
Update (2015-10-16): Similar statement from “IRA commanders” BelfastLive | Irish Mirror
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
quis separabit UFF UYM X03089
Cork-based Frenchman Psychonautes (Fb) continues his series of skateboarding legends. Last year fro CNB14 he did Tony Alva in Garfield Street and in Exchange Place this year he painted Jay Adams, one of Alva’s fellow ‘Z Boys’ who died of a heart attack last year at age 53. (WP)
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03031
Incidents involving ships of African emigrants seeking refuge in Europe are so many that there is a separate Wikipedia page for them. In response to the crisis, an old mural in Crocus Street (see M01486) remembering the emigration of Irish to North America during the Great Hunger was repainted and the lower part (which had images of the Great Hunger) replaced by stencilling which makes reference to the 2015 situation: “Ireland/Éıre 1845 – Europe/An Eoraıp 2015”, “Refugees welcome – Fáılte roımh theıfıgh”, and “No human is illegal – Níl aon dunıe [duıne] mídhleathach”. It was immediately vandalized with a “not” (see the final image, below; Fb) but has now been repaired, along with the mis-spelling.
Update 2015-10-19: the mural has been graffitied with “SF hate blacks” – see the fourth image, below.
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
sınn féın youth famine X03011 X03012 X03104 X03142 originally finished 2015-09-12
TLO‘s latest work: a green stallion mounts an orange mare.
Previously: Demonizing Paisley, Three Studies Of Ian Paisley, and Ian Jong-un, and also Wee Angel)
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03078 X03085
The work above by TLO (featured previously in Demonizing Paisley, Three Studies Of Ian Paisley, Ian Jong-un, and Wee Angel) comments on the long-running inquiry (or inquiries) into abuse at the Kincora boys home. Despite the conviction of several workers as a result of a 1980 RUC inquiry, the matter continues to resurface, with involvement alleged against British lords and notables, MI5, and loyalist paramilitaries. In the latest development, an appeal by campaigners to have Kincora included in the UK-wide sexual abuse inquiry was rejected (BBC-NI). In the poster above, a bloody red hand takes the place of the head above Mountbatten’s regimental uniform.
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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02793
Extramural Activity 