What: A vibrant outdoor gallery featuring works by six talented artists, celebrating themes of joy and community. Where: Thomas Street, Crane Street, and Market Street in Dublin 8, showcasing large-scale murals and printed works. When: Launching March 15th, 2024, and running for three months. Why: Part of St. Patrick’s Festival 2024, bringing art, vibrancy, and a sense of community to Dublin 8 in collaboration with the Guinness Storehouse, the Digital Hub, and Dublin City Council. Curated by: Good Shout Studio, a Dublin 8-based creative agency.
Featured Artists
Claire Prouvost: A French muralist based in Dublin, Claire’s work is known for its bold, joyful characters and dynamic use of colour. She often explores themes of community, celebration, and the energy of urban life.
Sophia Vigne Welsh: Sophia creates visually striking abstract works that explore nature, colour, and the interplay of light and form. Her pieces evoke a sense of renewal and optimism.
Mark Conlan: This artist playfully reimagines Dublin’s architectural landmarks with a whimsical touch. He often blends natural elements into urban landscapes, creating a sense of wonder and connection with the city.
Ruan van Vliet: Ruan’s distinctive style features playful, cartoon-like characters with a contemporary edge. His works explore the concept of modern-day “cowboys” within the context of Dublin 8, finding unique stories within the urban landscape.
Bebhinn Eilish & Gavin Connell: This creative duo combines Bebhinn’s delicate, ethereal illustrations with Gavin’s bold, graphic style. Their work often explores themes of nature, interconnectedness, and the transformative power of art.
Gavin Connell: Gavin Connell is a 26-year-old illustrator/designer based in Dublin, Ireland. His style is made up of his main inspirations such as vintage comics, 1930’s animation, old school rave posters and contemporary illustration/character design. Graduating from NCAD in June 2018, he went straight into freelancing and working for himself. He worked closely as a junior designer with John Slade of H.Y.T Studio 2017-2018 on jobs for large brands such as Nike and Vans where he learned a lot of technical skills.
How to Experience A Better City
The gallery is designed to be enjoyed by simply walking along the designated streets. Follow the trail and discover the artworks.
Today I had an appointment at Harolds’s Cross so I decided to walk there and visit Longwood Avenue, on my way, in order to check if this large mural had survived the legal and official attempts to have it removed.
In June 2022 it was announced that Dublin City Council was to drop its prosecution of art group Subset for three prominent street murals – including this one celebrating the life of David Attenborough.
In November 2019 I upload photographs of this mural and included the following comment: “Dublin City Council has ordered that a mural of David Attenborough on the side of a property in south Dublin should be removed. An entity or group known as Subset had recently created the Street Art tribute to David Attenborough on his 93rd birthday.”
The David Attenborough Mural is a large-scale street mural located on the gable wall of a house on South Circular Road facing onto Longwood Avenue in Dublin 8, Ireland. It was painted in 2019 by the artist collective SUBSET to mark the renowned naturalist and broadcaster’s 93rd birthday.
The mural depicts Attenborough in his signature khaki jacket and hat, standing next to a group of animals, including a penguin, a lion, and an elephant. The mural is vibrantly coloured and features a stylised depiction of the natural world.
The mural was controversial from the start, as it was painted without planning permission from Dublin City Council. The council eventually ordered the mural to be removed, but this decision was met with widespread public opposition.
A petition to save the mural attracted over 10,000 signatures, and the council eventually dropped its prosecution of the artists.
The David Attenborough Mural is now considered to be a popular tourist attraction in Dublin. It is a reminder of the city’s vibrant street art scene and its appreciation for the natural world.