Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Town Centre Management Team working alongside Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce and local landlords are about to embark on 2 exciting Street Art Projects within Ballymoney Town Centre. The Department for Communities NI have made this possible by providing the necessary funding to help develop the project and encourage people to visit town centres and enjoy everything they have to offer.
The old Mill site, which is situated on Seymour Street, will have an art piece designed by the world renowned artist Irony. Irony is a British graffiti artist, active mostly around the London’s Camden Town. He often collaborates with other street artists, such as Boe, Fanakapan and Candie to produce some amazing pieces.
Self taught, Irony’s industrial scale street artworks still retain a softness, painting freehand with spray paints, like an oil painter with a brush. On canvas too, across many subjects, there is always an inherent quality at the core. A distillation of that intangible grimy energy that is uniquely London.
Irony’s recent works explore mixing classical portraiture with the grotty aesthetic of urban spaces. Bringing these neglected and unorthodox landscapes a decadence that romanticises them rather than hiding their ruin.
Preparation of the site began yesterday, Wednesday with the Artist starting work from Monday 2nd August. By Wednesday/ Thursday next week, the artwork should be really taking shape and will emerge as a new piece of public art in Ballymoney.
The design hasn’t been revealed, but come along to the town and watch this artist complete his work. Can you work out what it is going to be from the prep work completed so far?
The other site chosen is the wall at the side of the Old Candy Shop, Church Street which will be transformed by Shane O’Driscoll.
Shane is a multidisciplinary creative specializing in Art Direction, Graphic Design and Printmaking. He has over 10 years’ experience as a creative in Industry, having worked as a Graphic Designer and Art Director dealing with high profile clients.
Shane’s artwork has been acquired for the permanent collection of the Irish National Gallery and exhibited in the National Print Museum, Dublin, Irish Arts Centre, New York and throughout the world. He has worked alongside organizations including; OFFSET Creative Festival, Art Republic, IDI, Design Week, PhotoIreland Festival, Electric Picnic–Music Festival, Movember Design POP festival.
He was chosen as the Irish representative artist for the global Smirnoff Vodka Nightlife Exchange Project. His artwork was exhibited in Argentina, as part of a cultural exchange.
Below are examples of some of the work of Shane.
People are welcome to come and watch both artists as they transform each of the walls within the town.
