Work by NOTA and the TMN crew (see previously) on the construction hoarding around the old Botanic Lodge (87-91 Botanic Avenue) Belfast. Work started in December (2019) on two commercial units and 14 apartments above (Future Belfast).
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International Peace Day, 2020, falls on the same date as it did in 2011, namely September 21st. To celebrate the event, the Imagine mural from 2011 between the security gates has been extended in three directions. The new panels (printed by Alexander Boyd Displays (web) on aluminium) now take up the whole space between the gates, blocking out, on the left, Mark Ervine’s Global Commodity, on the right, (Manchester) United’s Big Lily, and below, a space used recently by Shankill graffitists to support Donald Trump and Israel and to attack the EU. Since the new panels are the usual whitewashing of history in favor of landmark buildings and people in black-and-white (i.e. before the Troubles) – though the bottom panel does appear to include a bonfire or riot image (see final image) – this is arguably a net loss.
The City Council held a 45-minute Zoom event of poems and music called ‘Shaping Peace Together‘.
“In understanding, all walls shall fall down” – Kahlil Gibran
“A further shore is reachable from here” – Seamus Heaney
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“Empires fall and tyrannies perish.” In the March 25th, 1916 edition of the Workers’ Republic, a month before the rising, James Connolly took heart from “the magnificent parades of Volunteers under arms, the overflowing meetings, the joyous abandon of the Irish gatherings of all descriptions, and above all the exultant rebel note everywhere manifest” to predict that “we will rise again”. Lasaır Dhearg (web) stencil on Northumberland Street below the D Coy hoarding.
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“Regardless the country, a state police force will be used as militia for the political elite against the people – fight back” – 32CSM poster with images of police brutality from around the globe, including the death of George Floyd. The stickers on the ATM itself are from Ultras Celtic/Green Brigade.
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The starting-point for the Ballymurphy Massacre tour (below) is on the so-called International Wall (at the corner of Divis Street and Northumberland Street) but the first site is two miles away, in Springfield Close. The third stop, shown above, commemorates the lives of Joseph Corr and John Laverty, killed in separate incidents by British Army paratroopers (distinguished by their red berets) on August 11, 1971, at the top of the Whiterock Road.
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The trio of mental-health boards above the Whiterock-Springfield junction has been spruced up with a new whitewashed background and the message “It’s OK To Talk”.
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X07425 X07426 X07427 X07524 Where’s your head at? west belfast wellbeing alliance LifelinePIPSTAMHISuicide Awareness And Support GroupUpper Springfield Youth Team
“Is deontóır me [mé]. Deonú orgán. Yes I donate. Organ donation.” Dáıthí Mac Gabhann (Donate4Daithí Fb) who suffers from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, has been looking for a donor heart since January 2018. The new mural is on the “International Wall” in CNR west Belfast; here is an image from the Whiterock Road from the 2018 campaign. Organ Donation Week runs from September 7th to 13th. Artist Tony Bell has completed a painting to support the campaign; it is on display in An Cultúrlann.
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Another World Belfast (web | Fb) collects toiletries and underwear for distribution – via local charities and community groups – in “Love Packs”. This ‘heart of hearts’ mural in support of the project is in the grounds of the Vault Artists (Fb) in East Belfast.
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Keeping an eye on the courtyard of Vault HQ (web | ig) in Tower Street, a majestic tiger by Friz (web | ig). The tiger is in the third spot. FGB’s raspberry man is in the first spot. Cherries by unknown artist in the fourth; the fifth spot is “25 Tower Street” by Ed Reynolds. The wide shot shows the five panels plus Show Some Love and FGB’s Build Communities. “Yes Big Lad” and the flower tribute to Ash are on the other side of the carpark, near the road.
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Artists from the arts collective Vault (web | tw) painted new pieces on the Tower Street side of the building in advance of the Summer Market on August 16th. Above is a Conor McClure painting of an artist puking up his creative guts. The piece in the middle is probably Leo Boyd. At the bottom is work by Dragoș Mușat.
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