Visual Arts

William Magowan, Garvagh, County Londonderry

Elaborately painted banners and smaller bannerettes are a hallmark of British and Irish parades and processions. Banner-painter William McGowan began his career lettering and painting advertising images on shop signs and trucks but was drawn to the complex, iconic artwork found on traditional banners. Today, in his home-based shop, Brush Creations, he works long hours to fill orders for his sought-after banners, as well as for the handsome images he paints on the shells of lambeg drums.

Kevin Hasson, Derry, County Londonderry

Tom Kelly, Derry, County Londonderry

Will Kelly, Derry, County Londonderry

During The Troubles, the Republican neighborhood of Bogside in Londonderry became an epicenter for mural painting. Since 1993, muralists and brothers Tom and Will Kelly and their friend Kevin Hasson have worked together as The Bogside Artists, creating social art that is “by the people, for the people.” www.bogsideartists.com

Tomás Ó Maonaigh, County Londonderry

Gary Rosborough, County Londonderry

At Londonderry’s celebrated Nerve Centre, a community-based arts center and “cultural factory” in the heart of the old, walled city, Derry natives Tomás Ó Maonaigh and Gary Rosborough—animators-in-residence, filmmakers, and educators—use Claymation, modern technology, and stories from Irish history to capture young imaginations, teach skills, and encourage inter-community communications. www.nerve-centre.org.uk

David “Dee” Craig, Belfast  

Rachel Sinnamon, Belfast

During The Troubles, the Protestant neighborhood of Belfast attracted international attention for its murals. Artists, muralists, and Belfast natives Dee Craig and Rachel Sinnamon are outstanding examples of the many talented muralists involved in the “re-imaging” of mural art to reflect the changing political landscape of Northern Ireland.

The tradition of mural painting in Northern Ireland dates at least to the nineteenth century. During The Troubles, various groups turned to murals to address political issues, commemorate political activists, or depict paramilitary groups. With the return of peace, there has been a movement to replace the more divisive murals with new ones that incorporate the best of the powerful local mural tradition with a more positive, inter-community vision of Northern Ireland’s past and future. Two groups of muralists are attending the Festival.