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A change of image for Shankill murals
Wednesday, 17 June 2009
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Ten paramilitary murals in the Shankill area of Belfast have been replaced with new images of culture and heritage as part of a community make-over.
The new murals, designed to chart the social, cultural and industrial heritage of the lower Shankill, were officially unveiled yesterday following a nine-month project.
Part of the Re-imaging Communities programme, designers used a combination of traditional mural skills and modern digital production techniques in putting the murals together.
Ian McLaughlin, from the Lower Shankill Community Association, said the project was a great success.
“Our community realised it was time to identify with the culture and heritage of our area and also take the opportunity to portray a number of individuals who have contributed greatly to the history and pride of our area,” he said.
Four artists — Lesley Cherry, Tim McCarthy, Ed Reynolds and Steven Tunley — have been working with a range of community groups since last September.
The Lower Shankill Community Association, its human rights group, residents and community workers, initially identified subjects for the new murals before bringing them to fruition.
Lord Mayor of Belfast Naomi Long praised the project.
“This is a prime example of what re-imaging is all about — taking us out of the divisions of the past into a new era of hope and enlightenment, reflecting the heritage of our diverse communities in a positive manner,” she said.
“Our vision is of a Belfast without barriers. The concept of renewal, of change, of respect for cultural identities lies at the heart of the Re-imaging Communities programme, which recognises the importance of creativity in all its manifestations and in all our lives.
“One of the most public representations of that ethos is within the realm of public art which enhances our environment and celebrates our identities.”
The initiative is being funded through the Arts Council, on behalf of the Shared Communities Consortium, which is helping to transform local communities across Northern Ireland by tackling the visible signs of sectarianism and racism and creating a more welcoming environment.
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Comments
36 Comments
Erasmus, does your vision include GAA stadia, trophies and other assorted public parks currently named after Republican murderers and members of Republican terror groups?
Posted by mi-ck-ey | 18.06.09, 23:46 GMT
A large number of foreign visitors to Belfast go on tours specifically to see the very murals which are now being erased.
Call it "Troubles Porn" if you like - but it's true.
Repainting murals with more anodyne images will in no way address the sectarianism which still plagues our country. The Troubles are (allegedly) over, but the existence of the murals at least acknowledges the reality of working-class NI. And 30+ years of history. Same goes for bulldozing the Maze for a sports ground.
Posted by Jaybee | 18.06.09, 18:20 GMT
Should we now consider changing the street names dedicated to icons of ethnic cleansing and mass murder - let's start with Belfast's Cromwell Road
Posted by erasmus | 18.06.09, 15:17 GMT
A bold and brave move in the right direction - well done.
Posted by honest Joe | 18.06.09, 13:43 GMT
I am more interested in the murals on the other side of Belfast, they display ira men, complete with guns.
When will they get painted over?
Always the nationalist community refuse to compromise.
Posted by stephen | 18.06.09, 11:39 GMT
He didnt say a load of tosh, he said a load of guff mark. I dont know what's more disgraceful Mickey, the fact that you did say such things about Bloody Sunday or the fact that you deny it now. If you are going to act in this disgraceful manner least be honest about it. You are pretty much a petty disgraceful individual, and now it seems we can add cowardice to that ever growing list of non-qualities.
Posted by In The Name Of The Fada | 18.06.09, 10:43 GMT
mark "When referring to Mickey all I need to do is look at the sectarian idiocy of comparing the civil rights movement with loyalist death squads and remember that on one of many displays of outright ignorance he referred to Bloody sunday and the whole civil rights movement as 'a load of old tosh' and 'bunkum'."
Have never once labelled any civil rights movement anywhere as you describe, so, cut and paste, there's a chap.....cut and paste.....or retract (some chance).
Posted by mi-ck-ey | 18.06.09, 09:31 GMT
Spud
Keep going like that and I'll start coming to the same conclusion about you. When referring to Mickey all I need to do is look at the sectarian idiocy of comparing the civil rights movement with loyalist death squads and remember that on one of many displays of outright ignorance he referred to Bloody sunday and the whole civil rights movement as 'a load of old tosh' and 'bunkum'..Do you share the same belief? Do you wear the same sorry sectarian shroud?..Shame, I love a nice floury spud
Posted by mark | 18.06.09, 09:20 GMT
The murals in the bogside are depiction of history and the citys past, no where do you see in the bogside, murals portraying a relation to the provos or any other organisation except the civil rights association.
Posted by johnmac | 18.06.09, 08:50 GMT
Second time to post this as first post not listed for whatever reason.
Robbo, yuo mention the bogside murals, have you visited the bogside and seen the murals in question?
if you have you will note that there are only murals depicting civil rights marches & bloody sunday, not a mad dog adair to be seen!
Posted by Sol | 18.06.09, 08:37 GMT
i go up & down republican roads EVERY day & they havent changed their murals.WHY NOT? one sided AGAIN.
Posted by paulglfc | 17.06.09, 20:11 GMT
I don't understand how anyone can complain about Mickey's comment. Surely we don't want to see terrorist murderers of whatever hue glorified in our city?
Mark, reading your inane comments always makes me think of pots and kettles for some reason ...
I get this awful feeling that your problem with Mickey stems from your own bigotry. (Sorry, forgot - by definition only prods can be bigots!)
Posted by spud | 17.06.09, 19:01 GMT
I don't understand how anyone can complain about Mickey's comment. Surely we don't want to see terrorist murderers of whatever hue glorified in our city?
Mark, reading your inane comments always makes me think of pots and kettles for some reason ...
I get this awful feeling that your problem with Mickey stems from your own bigotry. (Sorry, forgot - by definition only prods can be bigots!)
Posted by spud | 17.06.09, 19:01 GMT
The murals of the bogside are not IRA advertisements or a show of strength you idiot. In fact the bogside artists have had many disputes with the provos over the years. The images depict cultural and historical events over the years.
Posted by doire | 17.06.09, 17:40 GMT
Openly sectarian murals or those that support paramilitaries should be taken down and replaced with something more positive, but it would be great if the murals were put on display somewhere else like in a gallery for the benefit of tourists, historians and the like.
As for anyone who questions the murals in the Bogside, they are an integral part of the Derry tourist trade and besides, they are about the struggle for civil rights, not about glamorising terrorism.
Posted by Ciaran Gallagher | 17.06.09, 17:22 GMT
About time too, these were blatant murals celebrating and glorifying loyalist death squads.
re the Bogside, if you actually seen them you would realise they illustrate civil rights, bloody sunday etc, not a terrorist to be seen.
Posted by Ulsterman | 17.06.09, 15:54 GMT
So the only picture in the picture section of a republican mural and its one with a gun. Now thats a little bias as the republican murals changed ages ago to the more cultural murals like the shankill is now trying to do/copy.
Why put it in there ?
Are you trying to perpetuate the problem ?
Posted by I can't believe it | 17.06.09, 15:31 GMT
well done the Shankill, good to see unionists reaching out to fellow northern irishmen and women.
Just a shame nationalists are too intolerant to do the same.
Whatever happened to the equality agenda?
ah, sorry, I forgot, its only if nationalists dont get something their way.
can any nationalists tell me when they will reciprocate?
Posted by stephen | 17.06.09, 14:53 GMT
Bit meaningless arent they - would be as well with leaving the bricks instead of this waste of paint!
Posted by Keith | 17.06.09, 14:45 GMT
I think Mickey gets grief from some elements even when his comments do not court controversy. You look rather dumb knocking him on simple comments. If you are on the other side of the fence and Mickey is throwing stones as it were, fair enough, that is both banter and/or discussion.
PS I am not gay for Mickey by the way. I do own a wife. She is under the stairs if no one believes me. I just think some numpties just wait for him to post to put their twopenneth in...
Posted by soarer | 17.06.09, 14:44 GMT
36 Comments