New Mural Appears in LQ

A new mural designed by street artist and mural painter, Sophie Mess, has been installed in Belfast’s bustling Linen Quarter, as part of the Hit the North Street Art Festival. The vibrant mural, which is on Linenhall Street, has been commissioned by LQ BID and represents innovation through the use of vibrant colours and botanical style painting.

Based in the UK, artist Sophie Mess is best known for her trademark vibrant flowing flowers and has previously painted murals for clients Burberry and Microsoft. She spent five years in London working in the mural industry as an artist and Project Manager and specialises in bringing the ‘colourful beauty of nature to the urban landscape’.

Sophie said: “The mural is entitled ’Shaping ideas’ and represents ideas blossoming, growing, expanding and shifting to take on new shapes and forms. In representation of the Belfast’s Linen Quarter, the design purposefully travels in vertical and horizontal directions to reflect the linen weave and the LQ BID logo. I was really pleased to be asked to contribute and I hope passers-by enjoy it as they travel through the district.”

The mural is in collaboration with LQ BID who are an independent not for profit organisation focused on delivering specific improvements in the area.

Chris McCracken, Managing Director of LQ BID, said: “Sophie’s installation is a colourful illustration of the contemporary transformation of the Linen Quarter. The concept represents the theme of creative innovation, one of the defining characteristics of the District from the 19^th century and an attribute that we have rediscovered and re-interpreted for today. We’re delighted to convert a derelict shop front on Linenhall Street into an open air canvas, and we’re proud to associate the Linen Quarter for the first time with Belfast’s Street Art Festival.

“This part of the district has been significantly improved over the last 12 months with three new street parklets, major interventions at Adelaide Street and Blackstaff Square, and new planting and street art. As we look forward to a busy summer, we are focused on ensuring the Linen Quarter is a vibrant, artistic, and enjoyable place to spend time.”

’Shaping ideas’ was installed as part of the 2022 ‘Hit The North’ Street Art Festival, which saw Belfast play home to a number of local and European artists. The mural will continue to enjoy by spectators in Belfast’s Linen Quarter.

Festival organiser, Adam Turkington of Seedhead Arts, said: “Established almost a decade ago, ‘Hit The North’ has returned to Belfast as part of the rejuvenation efforts in the North Street region of Belfast. The festival saw over 50  artists from all over the world visit Belfast in attempt to bring the city’s rich cultural history for mural art into the 21st Century.”