I Am Not Resilient

03074 2015-10-01 Resilient+

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.

03075 2015-10-01 Resilient info+

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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

Waterside, Cityside, Quayside

02872 2015-08-26 SperrinPkFilm+

The Peace Bridge is shown spanning the Foyle between (the former) Ebrington barracks and the Guildhall, with a film-strip of images, many depicting naval and military scenes, above and below. The detail below shows a gap in the walls of Derry, a poster encouraging people to “Join the Wrens [and free a man for the fleet]” (the Women’s Royal Naval Service; see the poster at IWM), soldiers playing ping-pong in their barracks, and the ship’s bell of the HMS Londonderry (which served as a training ship during the Falkland War (WP)).

02873 2015-08-26 SperrinPkFilmDetail+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02872 X02873 project funded reimaging communities programme supported by shared communities consortium lottery housing executive social development first minister deputy international fund for ireland derry londonderry doire

Have They Gone Away?

03089 2015-10-04 Welcome To Loyalist Lower Shankill+

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

Jay Adams Soul Sailor

03031 2015-09-22 Psychonautes CNB15 Face+

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

In Search Of A Better Life

03012 2015-09-17 Emigration Ship 2015 close+

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.

03104 2015-10-07 Emigration Ship 2015 repaired+

03011 2015-09-17 Emigration Ship 2015+

03142 2015-10-19 SF Hate Blacks+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
sınn féın youth famine X03011 X03012 X03104 X03142 originally finished 2015-09-12

Taking The Hump

03078 2015-10-03 Horses Copulating+

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)

03085 2015-10-03 Horses Copulating Switch+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03078 X03085

Talk To The Hand

02793 2015-08-20 Kincora+

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

Always Remembered

02773 2015-08-17 NorthDownUFF+

UFF/UDA/UYM (North Down, 2nd battalion, D company) memorial mural in Bloomfield estate, Bangor, to Andrew McIlvenny and Roy Officer, with hooded gunmen on a bed of poppies flanking the UFF clenched fist.

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X02773 terrae filius quis separabit

Galaxy Paws

03086 2015-10-03 Friz CNB15 Galaxy Paws+

Work by Friz (Fb) for CNB15: the fox is stretched out over a bed of roses and its body curves over the doorway. Its eyes are vents; its paws are galaxies. We live in one on the left hind leg.

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03086 bed of roses

The Short-Timers

03059 2015-09-23 ADW CNB15 Born To Create+

ADW‘s (Fb) CNB15 ‘combat helmet of crayons’ piece in Garfield Street has already been reclaimed by the Belfast graffitists (specifically NOTA), cheekily turning ‘born to create’ into ‘born 2 destroy’, rather like the ‘born to kill’ from the poster for Stanley Kubrick’s Full Metal Jacket, on which the work was based (final image, below).

See previously: A Short Treatise On The Ephemerality Of Art in which a CNB13 piece was … modified.

03084 2015-10-03 Born To Destroy ADW+

03035 2015-09-23 CNB15 ADW+

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Copyright © 2015 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X03030 X03084 X03059 assault deadly weapon born to create combat helmet crayon pencil colour coloured NOTA none of the above

FMJ