Street Art

The BID have been very active in working with landlords based in the Linen Quarter to implement street art interventions across the District. Murals have been recognised as an effective tool in place-making strategies by adding visual interest to the urban environment and by discouraging graffiti.

Over the past two years the BID have (co)funded murals at eleven locations across the Linen Quarter.

Linen Quarter BID commissioned renowned street artist Aches to design a vibrant piece of street art on the Eastern gable wall of the Holiday Inn building on Hope Street. Measuring approximately 450m2 (making it the largest mural on the island of Ireland), this impressive piece of  street art was completed in October 2024 to coincide with the Belfast 2024 year of culture.

The mural is based on the themes of diversity and connectivity and aims to reflect the diverse nature of people that live in, work in and pass through the Linen Quarter on a daily basis. It also gives reference to the opening of the Grand Central Station around the corner.

 

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As part of Hit The North Street Art Festival 2023, a new mural has been installed in the Linen Quarter by the Dutch street art collective Studio Giftig, who were crowned Best Street Artists 2022. The 12m high photo realistic artwork at James St South pays homage to the Linen Quarter with references to Linen and flax plants. Commissioned by the BID, the welcome addition will add a touch of vibrancy and colour to the district.

LED lighting was installed above the mural during October 2024 to bring out the artwork during the darker hours.

The birds on “Flying High” mural (installed October 2023) represent a mix of species. These include the Godwit, a Dunlin, an Artic Tern and a Lapwing. The latter is semi native and the unofficial national bird for Ireland. The others are all migratory in nature and represent the diversity of the Church congregation. All four birds are sea waders, representing the geography of this part of the city before it became developed (all lands between Sandy Row and the river Lagan were marshlands along the lower course of the river Blackstaff – now culverted underneath Bankmore St). Finally, all birds represented are either red or amber for their conservation status, raising awareness of the fragility of local wildlife.

LED lighting was installed above the mural during October 2024 to bring out the artwork during the darker hours.

In October 2023, murals were installed on the four front elevations of these Victorian-era terraces, with another mural appearing on the gable wall on Stroud Street. The five different murals all intend to celebrate the theme of ‘Belfast punk scene’ as one of the terraces (nr 121) used to house the famous Good Vibrations record store during the 1980s and early 1990s.  Terri Hooley – the founder of the Good Vibrations store – acted as a catalyst for the emergence of a distinctive Belfast punk scene and has been honoured with a mural on the gable wall on Stroud Street.

This mural was commissioned by the BID and completed as part of SEEDHEAD ART’s Hit the North festival by the end of April 2022. The mural covers two derelict single storey buildings on Linenhall Street (opposite the BBC Parklet) and measures approx. 10m x 6m. The artist Sophie Mess took the idea of creative innovation as inspiration for the mural.

The mural sits on the southern gable wall of the former Ulster Bank building.

Installed by the French street artist Veks van Hillik as part of the Hit the North 2024 festival, the mural measures approximately 80m2, making it one of the largest murals in Belfast.  The artist’s dreamlike, surreal style takes influence from both popular culture as well as the Flemish masters of past centuries.

Measuring approximately 50m2, this mural was installed by Sr. Papá Chango as part of the Hit the North 2024 festival. He creates worlds and characters full of color, combining fantasy and everyday life, with a touch of baroque.

The mural covers the back elevation of Bedford House (along Franklin Street Place) that was characterised by dereliction and graffiti.

Installed during the BID’s annual Safe & Clean week in October 2024 and co-funded by Bedford House, the aim behind this mural is to deter graffiti and other anti-social behaviour in this part of the District by providing a bright and vibrant piece of street art that inspires confidence.

Located on the Northern gable wall of Link House (facing Bruce Street), this piece of street art was installed by WildBelfast as part of their commission by Belfast 2024 to install four living murals across the city.  LQ BID providing co-funding in order to extend the scope and visual impact of the street art.

Installed during October 2024, the piece celebrates swifts as an urban wildlife species and includes swift bricks that aim to attract swifts back into the city.

Another mural added in the Linen Quarter as part of Hit The North 2023 Festival is on the back wall behind Trademarket on Dublin Road. The brightly coloured mural has been painted by Aberdeen street artist KMG and is intended to add visual interest to the vibrant street scene of Dublin Road.

The mural sits on the background of a small gap site on the corner with Downshire Place that was characterised by dereliction and graffiti.

The aim behind this mural was to celebrate urban ecology in the Great Victoria Street area by creating a forest inspired backdrop to the micro-habitat for city-dwelling wildlife species (e.g. birds, insects) that was created on this gap site.