Here are two by StayLo Skeetz in Kent Street, Belfast. With writing by VENTS in the second.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06265 X06257
StayLo Skeetz
graffiti/writing
Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions
Northern Ireland last night beat Israel 3-nil in a soccer “friendly” at Windsor Park. Gael Force Art took to Sliabh Dubh (Black Mountain) to support Palestinians and the BDS Movement, saying there’s “nothing friendly” about Israel’s human rights record (the full GFA statement is here). Other protests – and counter-protests – took place elsewhere in the city (BelTel).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06150 X06149 X06148 X06399 #BDS free palestine
Porta-Potty
A simple commode stands in the Glen Estate, Newtownards, below rival UDA and UVF graffiti.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06058
An Ní Is Áılle
“Níl an ní is áılle – súıl ghléıgheal [sic] an lınbh – slán faoınár gcúram níos mó!” [The most beautiful thing – the sparkling eye of a child/the bright hope of a child – is no longer safe in our care!] This Bóthar Chluanaí/Springfield Road graffiti seems to be a response to the recent vote in the Republic Of Ireland removing the constitutional protection of unborn children (see Yes & No). There has previously been Irish-language graffiti in favour of abortion: Ceart Gınmhıllte Anoıs!
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X06025 X06026 Buíochas le Mícheál agus Seosamh.
The Blind Eye Sees All!
A poetic allusion to the blind prophet Tiresias (from Oedipus Rex) or to security cameras? This graffiti is in the tunnel under the (recently repainted) Harkness Parade shipyard workers.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04909
The Keys To Freedom
Here is a vintage mural still hanging on in St James’s in west Belfast. It was painted in 1995 (by Andrea Redmond?) and dates back to the peace process and the “Green Ribbon” campaign to secure the release of political prisoners: the dove carries the keys to set them free. The graffiti on the keys, however, reads “IRA” and “FTQ” (“Eff the Queen”), and in the upper wing, “UTP” (“Up the Provos”).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04420 X04419
Wandering Star
This is a smaller piece by Bristol street artist CHEBA (web | ig | tw), done when he was over for CNB17 (see Hit The Northern Lights).
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04635 Kent St, Belfast
KAT 1690
Loyalist graffiti in Boyne Court (Sandy Row): a (reverse) swastika but instead of Jews, the edict is to “KAT [Kill All Taigs]”, drawing inspiration from William’s victory at the Boyne in 1690.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04686
Ain’t Nothin But A Gee Thang
“Ain’t Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang” (youtube) was the most successful single from Dr Dre’s 1992 debut solo album The Chronic. The song featured Snoop Dogg – who quickly went on to have his own solo career – on vocals. Below is the adjacent writing by CLUES in McKibben’s Court.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2017 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04624 X04625
This Mess We’re In
This graffiti in the city centre in one go describes both the state of things and the alleged culprits.
See also Lost Duppy from 2016. And Don’t Be DUPed from 2014 in the Peter Moloney Collection.
Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2018 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X04970
Extramural Activity 