Please Respect Artwork

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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.

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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

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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.

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Free Yourself From Mental Slavery

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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”.

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Total Eclipse Of The Sun

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“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.

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Choice

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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.

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Make Some NOYS

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Writing by London-/Derry aerosol artist NOYS (inst) in Belfast. A gallery of NOYS’s work was just featured on Bombing Science.

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David & Goliath

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The Harland & Wolff cranes are called Samson and Goliath after two biblical giants. This miniature was spotted in a window in Castlereagh Place.

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Big Henry

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Gareth “Big Henry” Morrison was a drummer in the Ulster First Flute band in Sandy Row and a Rangers supporter. He died at age 26 on June 23rd, 2013 from a dose of PMA (BelTel), one of eight such deaths in Northern Ireland and seven in western Scotland. (1997 image of a UFFB mural in Linfield Road.)

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St Joseph’s

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Here are three stained glass windows from St Joseph’s in Sailortown. The designer of the glass is unknown – please get in touch if you know. The church was built in 1880 and has been idle since 2001; both the exterior (which we profiled in November 2017) and interior are in need of restoration. A plan exists to turn the building into a heritage centre (BMG).

For more church glass, see Townsend Street Presbyterian.

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My First Meat Wagon

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Another PSNI land rover from Leo Boyd (web | ig) today. The first can be seen in “Nothing to fear, nothing to hide” from the summer of 2017; in this one, a new piece: a PSNI pedal car is “My first meat wagon”. Here is some of Leo’s previous work.

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