Two local artists kicked off the new year with the first of their three art exhibitions celebrating the 100 year anniversary of the Titanic’s hull launch.

David ‘Dee’ Craig and John Stewart, who both grew up in the shadow of the Harland and Wolff shipyard cranes, are behind the threefold display that began its life earlier this month, opening at the Higgin Gallery in Malone House.

Known best for their mural work around the city, both men are concentrating their efforts this year on depicting the building and launch of the Titanic hull with their body of fine art work.

John told the Community Telegraph: “The shipyard heritage of the city has really inspired us, and both of us have been asked to carry out a lot of mural work around the city highlighting this particular section of the city’s past.

“We think the show is a good opportunity to remind everyone of the legacy of our ship builders who built the Titanic, not just the Hollywood version of it sinking.”

We are looking forward to the other shows as part of this project — we hope to take the show to the United States later on in the year.”

The ‘first leg’ of the exhibition will run until Saturday February 5.