international

Guernica

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Picasso’s Guernica (WP) was recreated on The International Wall (Divis Street) in 2007 and now (2009) a reference to the deaths in Gaza has been added on the right, in the form of two bombs — one with a swastika and “Guernica ’37” and the other with a Star Of David and “Gaza 2009” — above and below the information plaque (which can be seen in the Peter Moloney Collection).

To the left of the Manchester Martyrs mural. Takes the place of the Bodenstown mural.

The mural was painted by local artists ME, DD, MD, with Conrad Atkinson (middle) and Robert Ballagh (right).

ConradGuernica
(Belfast Media Group picture no longer on-line, retrieved from the Léargas blog)

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2009 Cathal Woods
X00299 gasta.com supporting community artists basque guernica ’37 gaza 2009

Barbarian Israeli Aggression

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

Last year’s pro-Palestine mural on the International Wall (see Free Palestine From 60 Years Of Nakba!) has been augmented with words in red reading “End this barbarian Israeli aggression! “This is a war crime!” – Yonaton Shapira, Israeli refusenik. 1300+ slaughtered. Get the truth! Go to aljazeera.net/english”

The number was originally 700 (Alamy); it was presumably changed to 1000 at some point, though no image has been found of this; in any case, here 1000 has been crossed out and replaced with 1300.

For the girl on the right-hand side, see Maghaberry Prisoners.

Click image to enlarge small image
Copyright © 2009 Cathal Woods
X00314

Faugh-A-Ballagh

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

“Faugh-a-ballagh” (from the Irish “Fág an bhealach”, “clear the way”) is the regimental motto of the Royal Irish Regiment. It is said to date back to 1811, when it was used by ensign Edward Keogh of the 87th Prince Of Wales’s Irish regiment. See also: Colonel Tim Collins, commander of the first battalion, who made a famous speech on the eve of the Iraq invasion | Talavera 1809.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00117 

Support The Prisoner

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

In 2004 neither the first nor the last spots on the International Wall had been formally painted. The last spot, shown here, contained a variety of pieces (which can be seen in close-up at Peter Moloney’s site): a Fıanna Éıreann recruitment board (with internet address!); an IRPWA board calling for political status; “Support the prisoner”, formerly “Support the prisoner candidate” Tommy Crossan; an ETA mural; a mural in support of the Turkish hunger strikers.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00106

Castilla Nacion/Països Catalans

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

These two murals on the International Wall, Divis Street, urge freedom for Castile and Catalonia (and Ireland).

On the left, “Fuera fascistas de Castilla” (Out, fascists of Castile!) The protester on the right is waving the flag of the Castilian Left, a political party working for recognition of the Castle region of Spain, roughly the north-central portion of the country, including Madrid (WP).

On the right are the flags of Catalonia and Ireland. The ‘Catalan Countries’ include (in Spain) Catalonia, parts of Valencia, and the Balearic islands, Andorra, and (in France) the Roussillon region.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00105

Operation Iraqi Liberation

Extramural ActivityLeave a comment

This two-panel mural on the International Wall on Divis Street protests the US occupation of Iraq.

On the left, George W. Bush sucks down Iraqi oil (and black bubbles with dollar-signs come out of his ears). On the right, Iraq lies in rubble and bones, conquered by a tattered US flag. (According to the artists – see final image – the frame on the right reproduces/is based on a magazine cover during the Viet Nam war.) The “British Support Hook” is has been added in the strip in the middle between the main panels.

Originally, the given reason for “Operation Iraqi Freedom” (not “liberation” as that would have yielded “OIL”) was the hunt for “weapons of mass destruction” but that search was suspended in January.

The mural to the left is Cherish The Children; to the right is Castilla Nacion.

Click image to enlarge
Copyright © 2004 Seosamh Mac Coılle
X00116 [X00115]
[X00095] [X00096] X00097 [X00098] [X00099] X00100 [X00101] [X00102] X00103 [X00104]
george w bush rockets red glare gave proof through the air that our flag was still there basra Bhaghdad Baghdad