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    “Beyond Walls” by Saype in Belfast, Ireland

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    Swiss-based French graffiti artist Saype’s worldwide ‘Beyond Walls’ Project extends its symbolic human links to Northern Ireland. The gigantic, bio-degradable lawn fresco of intertwined hands will be displayed at the Stormont Estate from 14 June 2022, as part of the Belfast Photo Festival (2-30 June 2022).Giant biodegradable landart painting by French-Swiss artist Saype from the Beyond Walls project on Saturday June 11, 2022 in front of the Parliament Buildings (Stormont, Belfast). The artwork is extended over an area of 45 by 240 meters. Created using biodegradable pigments made of charcoal and chalk, the artwork will fade away with the growth of the grass.The gigantic artwork is part of the Belfast Photo Festival (2-30 June 2022) with support by the Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom. (Saype)The hands of people from Belfast are the photographic base of the artworks, advocating solidarity, dialogue and friendship beyond geographical and societal constraints around the world. Belfast will join some 30 cities across five continents which have participated in the large-scale art installation, with previous iterations appearing in Ouagadougou, Paris, Geneva, Dubai and many other locations.Michael Weir, Director of the Belfast Photo Festival, says: “Saype’s artworks are best perceived by drone, a lens in the sky, opening up questions about how we access an art piece, even when the vantage point is out of our physical reach. Due to the fleeting lifespan of his art, photography is an integral part of the process, capturing the tangible presence and preserving its message for people to enjoy, even when the physical piece has long disappeared.”Saype is renowned as a pioneer of an artistic movement linking street art and land art. His approach and innovative technique earned him global recognition as his poetic and ephemeral works travel around the world to impact minds and spark conscious dialogue. He is committed to eco-friendly methods in his art: “One of my aims is to not only shed light on issues of social transformation but to promote eco-friendly and sustainable methods of creating art through respecting nature.”Swiss Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Markus Leitner, says: “Saype’s message of global connectivity and sustainability is part of a number of activities we are organizing and supporting in the context of the Embassy’s #WeAreSwitzerland tour of the United Kingdom. Through this initiative we will connect with Swiss citizens, companies, artists and researchers in the UK and will forge new synergies with our local partners in politics, science, business and culture across all nations of the United Kingdom throughout the month of June.”The ‘Beyond Walls’ Project is accessible to the public from 14 June 2022 for around two to three weeks.Scroll down below for more photos of the project.Photo credit: Saype More

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      New mural by Conor Harrington in Cork, Ireland

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      Ardú Street Art project made a triumphant return to Cork city for their second edition, bringing some of the country’s most exciting street artists to create thought-provoking, large-scale murals across the cityscape: Friz’s “Goddess Cliodhna” at St Finbarr’s Road, Shane O’Malley’s bold and bright coloured angular shapes and colours on Lower Glanmire Road, Asbestos’ “What is home?” at South Main Street.The fourth and final piece of the current series has now been revealed, painted by Cork-born, world-renowned artist Conor Harrington at Bishop Lucey Park (Grand Parade entrance). Based in London since the mid 2000s, Harrington has created street art in New York, Miami, Paris, London, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Aalborg, Mallorca, Sao Paulo, San Juan, and the Bethlehem Wall; this is Conor’s first large-scale mural in his hometown.Harrington says, “My favourite part of Cork is the English market. I used to do as much of my shopping as possible there when I lived in Tower Street, before moving to London. And every time I’m home I’m always sure to have a stroll through and soak up some of the atmosphere. I’ve used the English Market as a starting point for my mural, the gate of which is opposite my wall. It was built in 1788 and has seen us through famine, boom and bust. In my painting, a man sets a table, a composition of fruit and veg in the manner of a lot of still life paintings from the 18th Century, when the English market and much of the Grand Parade and Patrick’s Street was built. The table is overflowing with fruit, an abundance of fresh produce that has been available in the market for years. I’ve included a doll’s house on the table to illustrate how Cork is a city built on food and how our culinary scene is one of our greatest assets. I’ve also included a fire extinguisher on the table as a reminder of the Burning of Cork 101 years ago, and that although the market was mostly spared, damage was still done.In the mural I’ve played with proportion and inverted the traditional scale of figure and dwelling to exacerbate the idea of the Georgian figure as a looming power or Lord over his domain. In my work I examine the role and legacy of the empire, and try to find parallels in contemporary culture. By including the doll’s house as a reference to home, housing and the current crisis in Ireland and the abundant fruit table which is in a state of overflow and collapse, I’m asking the question to whom does power and plenty belong? Despite this historical foundation, my mural is ultimately about the balance of abundance and excess, and the fall which inevitably follows.”Many local businesses in Cork have rallied behind the work that Ardú do throughout the city, a major supporter is Pat McDonnell Paints, who supplied the artists with some of their materials for this year’s programme:“Here at Pat McDonnell Paints, we are firm believers in how paint can transform the spaces we live in. We were delighted to support Ardú and their artists bring colour and vibrancy to Cork City.140 litres of paint tinted in over 22 colours and Conor Harrington talent and vision have given us a modern day masterpiece in a corner of Bishops Lucey Park.” – Aidan McDonnell, Pat McDonnell Paints.Commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level is the main aim of Ardú, which is supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland, and with paint generously sponsored by local businesses Pat McDonnell Paints, and spray paint from Vibes & Scribes.In order to cover total costs for this year’s event (paying for the artists fees, painting materials, maintenance,  etc.) and to help secure the future of Ardú Street Art Project, the crew need YOUR support.Ardú’s fundraiser allows for four donation options – €10, €20, €50, or €100 – everyone who donates is entered into a raffle to win a signed photo print of artwork from the 2020 Ardú series, which featured works by artists Maser, Peter Martin, Shane O’Driscoll, Deirdre Breen, Garreth Joyce, Aches and James Earley. There will be 5 winners chosen at random and each winner can select an artwork of their choice. The raffle is available to enter online via bigcartel: https://arducork.bigcartel.com/ More

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      “What is Home?” by Asbestos in Cork, Ireland

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      This new mural by Asbestos in Cork, Ireland is part of the Ardu Street Art festival featuring Friz, Asbestos, Conor Harrington, and Shane O’Malley.The giant gable end mural by Asbestos challenges the passerby to think about ‘What is Home?’  Do you have one, is it safe, can you afford it? Never as a country has our sense of what home means been more at threat.“I painted this figure wearing a cardboard box on his head to start a conversation with the public about what home means to them. As a country we are currently in an existential crisis over housing and our need to put a roof over our heads. There’s a fear and uncertainly about finding a safe space, and the system seems to be stacked in favour of the landlords” said Asbestos.The figure wearing the box is the artist himself, but a fictional version of him who is looking at the world with a naive view point. So each of his masks, or personas is a character that’s asking a different question. In this case “What is Home?”Home isn’t simply about where you were born, it’s where you feel you belong, where you feel safe, where you’re welcomed, where you can come back to and feel accepted, loved and part of a community. We seem to have lost sight of this recently because we’re so concerned about rent, mortgages or even having a home.Painted over 8 days in the sunshine and rain, it was wonderful to speak to so many curious Corkonians about the mural. The support has been amazing from the public and my friends and family here, Cork definitely felt like my home for a week.Asbestos is an Irish artist who’s been creating work on the street in a variety of media since 2003.  His portraits explore the concept of identity that are a conversation with two versions of his persona. “Each mask portrays two versions of myself, one alive and one dead. The dead version is a fictional character that represents me, if I’d been killed in a car bomb”. The bomb he refers to was a real one that went off in Dublin 46 days before he was born, 5 minutes after his mother walked past it. “I’ve always been fascinated about the fact that I may never have existed.” So each portrait is created by two versions of his persona combining photorealism and abstract naive strokes.Scroll down below to view more photos of the mural. More

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      Ardú Street Art in Cork, Ireland

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      Ardú Street Art project returned to Cork city this month with some of the country’s most exciting street artists to brighten up the city’s streets. Commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level is the main aim of Ardú, a street art project launched late last year, supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland, with paint generously sponsored by Pat McDonnell Paints.This year’s edition features four large-scale murals, three of which are now complete, with the final wall to be finished over the coming days. First to be revealed is a depiction of the Goddess Clíodhna, by Northern Ireland based artist Friz, at St. Finbarr’s Road, Cork.Sligo born artist Friz pictured at her mural at St. Finbarr’s Road, Cork, as part of Ardú Street Project 2021.Friz’s mural is a depiction of the Goddess Clíodhna, her style was inspired by the Honan Chapel’s mosaics and Harry Clarke stained glass. Ardú continues until October 15th, with three more large scale murals by Shane O’Malley, Conor Harrington, and Asbestos. Twitter/Instagram @ArduStreetArt / Photograph by Jed NiezgodaSpeaking about her mural, Friz introduces Clíodhna, “a celtic deity who, in some stories, is the patron of Cork. She was the daughter of the sea god Manannan Mac Lir and thus is associated with the sea also. Some tales say she has three songbirds who accompany her, and when they sing it lulls people to sleep. When they wake, they are healed of any ailments they had.The Ardú team pictured at Cork’s newest mural at St. Finbarr’s Road by Sligo born artist Friz, created as part of Ardú Street Project 2021. L-R: Shane O’Driscoll, Rose-Anne Kidney, Paul Gleeson, Louise Barker, Friz, & Peter Martin.Ardú continues until October 15th, with three more large scale murals by Shane O’Malley, Conor Harrington, and Asbestos. Twitter/Instagram @ArduStreetArt / Photograph by Jed Niezgoda – www.jedniezgoda.comSome versions say the birds eat from a magical apple tree, others that Clíodhna tended to these trees. It put me in mind of Idunn’s apples from Norse mythology. It’s amazing how many of our collective stories have counterparts in other cultures. Nine apples, as that number is sometimes associated with her.She fell in love with a mortal and upon falling asleep near the shore one day her father sent a wave to carry her home. In some versions she is drowned. There is a subtle tear in her eye. She is said to be the Queen of the banshees, and I wanted to represent a small nod to that without going down a stereotypical Halloween version of a banshee.When researching, local artist and Ardú organiser Peter Martin brought the Honan chapel at UCC to my attention. It is home to some stunning Harry Clarke stained glass windows as well as a divine mosaic floor. I used Clarke’s Saint Gobnait window as inspiration for my design.”Pictured:A new mural by Dublin artist Asbestos, created for Ardú 2021, South Main Street, Cork. The giant gable end mural challenges the passerby to think about ‘What is Home?’ Do you have one, is it safe, can you afford it? Never as a country has our sense of what home means been more at threat. Ardú Street Art project returned to Cork city this month, commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level. Supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland, with paint sponsored by Pat McDonnell Paints.This year’s edition features four large-scale murals: Friz at St Finbarr’s Road, Shane O’Malley at Lower Glanmire Road/Horgan’s Quay, Conor Harrington at Bishop Lucey Park (WIP), and Asbestos at South Main Street. For more see Twitter/Instagram: @ArduStreetArtPhoto credit: Artist AsbestosIf you take a walk down from Friz’s wall, towards the city centre, you’ll find “What is home?” by Dublin artist Asbestos. The giant gable end mural challenges the passerby to think about ‘What is Home?’  Do you have one, is it safe, can you afford it? Never as a country has our sense of what home means been more at threat… “I painted this figure wearing a cardboard box on his head to start a conversation with the public about what home means to them. As a country we are currently in an existential crisis over housing and our need to put a roof over our heads. There’s a fear and uncertainty about finding a safe space, and the system seems to be stacked in favour of the landlords.Pictured:A new mural by Dublin artist Asbestos, created for Ardú 2021, South Main Street, Cork. The giant gable end mural challenges the passerby to think about ‘What is Home?’ Do you have one, is it safe, can you afford it? Never as a country has our sense of what home means been more at threat. Ardú Street Art project returned to Cork city this month, commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level. Supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland, with paint sponsored by Pat McDonnell Paints.This year’s edition features four large-scale murals: Friz at St Finbarr’s Road, Shane O’Malley at Lower Glanmire Road/Horgan’s Quay, Conor Harrington at Bishop Lucey Park (WIP), and Asbestos at South Main Street. For more see Twitter/Instagram: @ArduStreetArtPhoto credit: Artist AsbestosThe figure wearing the box is me, but a fictional version of myself who’s looking at the world with a naive viewpoint. So each of my masks, or personas is a character that’s asking a different question. In this case ‘What is Home?’ Home isn’t simply about where you were born, it’s where you feel you belong, where you feel safe, where you’re welcomed, where you can come back to and feel accepted, loved and part of a community. We seem to have lost sight of this recently because we’re so concerned about rent, mortgages or even having a home. Painted over 8 days in the sunshine and rain, it was wonderful to speak to so many curious Corkonians about the mural. The support has been amazing from the public and my friends and family here, Cork definitely felt like my home for a week.”Ardú Street Art Initiative 2021 – Shane O’Maley at his mural / Photograph by Jed Niezgoda – www.jedniezgoda.comAcross Leeside, on the Lower Glanmire Road/Horgan’s Quay, find the third mural by Navan-born artist Shane O’Malley. Describing his mural, Shane says:Pictured: Cyclist and passenger at Shane O’Malley new mural on the Lower Glanmire Rd, Cork, for Ardú 2021.Ardú Street Art project returned to Cork city this month, commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level. Supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland, with paint sponsored by Pat McDonnell Paints.This year’s edition features four large-scale murals: Friz at St Finbarr’s Road, Shane O’Malley at Lower Glanmire Road/Horgan’s Quay, Conor Harrington at Bishop Lucey Park (WIP), and Asbestos at South Main Street. For more see Twitter/Instagram: @ArduStreetArtPhotographer John Beasley“The mural for Ardú street art festival explores Movement. I was drawn to the way the mural is experienced. The majority of people passing the mural would only see it for about 5 seconds. It is located at a busy junction entering Cork city, where traffic flows past the wall. People also walk past the wall and cross the road using 2 pedestrian crossings while a train line passes near the wall. Ardú Street Art Initiative 2021 – Shane O’Maley at his mural / Photograph by Jed Niezgoda – www.jedniezgoda.comThe mural is made of bright coloured angular shapes and interconnected circles that follow the over-under pattern found in Celtic Knotwork. This creates dynamic flow lines throughout the wall, so the mural feels like its got movement and is in motion. I added an anamorphic circle at the corner of the wall that is experienced when passing the mural on foot or in traffic. I wanted to create a piece which is impactful and bright, that would transform the area and visually improve people’s commute to the city.”Pictured: Renowned Cork born artist Conor Harrington working on a new mural at Bishop Lucey Park, Cork, as part of Ardú 2021.Ardú Street Art project returned to Cork city this month, commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level. Supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland, with paint sponsored by Pat McDonnell Paints.This year’s edition features four large-scale murals: Friz at St Finbarr’s Road, Shane O’Malley at Lower Glanmire Road/Horgan’s Quay, Conor Harrington at Bishop Lucey Park (WIP), and Asbestos at South Main Street. For more see Twitter/Instagram: @ArduStreetArtPhoto credit John BeasleyThe fourth and final wall for Ardú 2021 is work in progress, currently being painted by Cork-born artist Conor Harrington, at Bishop Lucey Park (Grand Parade entrance). Conor will be working throughout this week, members of the public are encouraged to come and watch as his piece comes to life. Based in London since the mid 2000s, Harrington has created street art in New York, Miami, Paris, London, Warsaw, Copenhagen, Aalborg, Mallorca, Sao Paulo, San Juan, and the Bethlehem Wall; this is Conor’s first large-scale mural in his hometown. Pictured: Renowned Cork born artist Conor Harrington working on a new mural at Bishop Lucey Park, Cork, as part of Ardú 2021.Ardú Street Art project returned to Cork city this month, commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level. Supported by Cork City Council and Creative Ireland, with paint sponsored by Pat McDonnell Paints.This year’s edition features four large-scale murals: Friz at St Finbarr’s Road, Shane O’Malley at Lower Glanmire Road/Horgan’s Quay, Conor Harrington at Bishop Lucey Park (WIP), and Asbestos at South Main Street. For more see Twitter/Instagram: @ArduStreetArtPhoto credit John Beasley More

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      Ardú Street Art Project 2021 in Cork, Ireland

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      Ardú Street Art project arrived in Cork October 2020 injecting a burst of colour, vibrancy, and life into the city in lockdown. Seven of Ireland’s most respected and renowned street artists were invited to create key city-centre locations, in response to a theme inspired by the 1920 Burning of Cork. Find work by Deirdre Breen at Wandesford Quay, Maser at The Kino, James Earley at Henry Street, Peter Martin at Kyle Street, Shane O’Driscoll at Harley Street, Aches at Anglesea Street, and Garreth Joyce at Liberty Street.The Ardú team are delighted to announce their return to Cork city’s streets from today September 27th, until October 11th, with four more large scale murals to brighten up the city centre landscape. Commissioning artwork from home grown talent of the highest level is the main aim of Ardú. The 2021 edition will welcome artists — Friz (Belfast), Shane O’Malley (Galway), Conor Harrington (London), and Asbestos (Dublin).Ardú organisers Shane O’Driscoll, Paul Gleeson and Peter Martin are excited to present the second edition of Ardú to the public, in a safe space where you can observe the murals come to life outdoors. “At a time when we face shared and personal challenges, each of our artist’s murals are a rallying cry to the city – a call to remember that we have been through terrible times before and we rose up. We can do it again.Having made such a positive impact on the city last year, we are excited to be back with another line-up of inspiring artists to transform Cork city’s streets.”Friz is the first artist to kick off this year’s series, she is currently painting at St Finbarr’s Road, Cork. Further details on the Ardú Street Art project, including each mural location, will be announced soon. Keep up to date with the process by following Ardú on social media: Twitter @ArduStreetArt / https://twitter.com/ArduStreetArt | Instagram: @ArduStreetArt | www.arducork.ie More

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      Full Colour: An Irish Street Art Story

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      Full Colour is a documentary about the street art communities of Dublin and Belfast created by Dublin native Harry Moylan. “Why do these artists make art? How does street art evolve in a city? It covers many topics including the old political murals and evolution of the modern street art scene in Belfast, as well as […] More

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      “Dolores O’Riordan” by Aches in Limerick, Ireland

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      Aches recently emailed us over some flicks from his recent mural of Dolores O’Riordan in Limerick, Ireland Limerick was Dolores’ home town and this mural was painted as part of the Draw Out project. If you are in the neighborhood, you’ll be able to find it located right beside King John’s Castle. Dolores Mary Eileen O’Riordan was […] More