Public art has been a feature of our environment from ancient times in which the Greeks and Romans erected memorials to great citizens or events. In modern times, public art has become much more accessible – we are even expected to interact with it. You can walk among the figures of Rowan Gillespie’s Famine along the Custom House Quay in Dublin (see p. 507).
Search online for ‘public art in Ireland images’ and you will find further information on examples of public art from around the country.
Figure 40.12 The City is My Garden, 2017, by Maser, Liffey Street, Dublin.
Maser painted the outside of the Tara Building, a co-working creative space in Dublin, making a bold colour statement in an otherwise dull streetscape. Maser often works in collaboration with other artists and likes to involve local people when he is painting a mural in a community. Works on canvas and fine- art prints are also part of his practice.
Street art is often used to raise awareness of public issues. It can brighten up a derelict area, create a festive atmosphere and become a tourist attraction. Waterford holds a street-art festival every two years called Waterford Walls.
In small groups, research the work of a street artist you like. Agree on a theme, create some
rough sketches to work out your ideas and decide tasks for each member of the group. Create a mural on a wall or a large panel. Review your work by comparing with the murals of other groups in the class. You could then exhibit your work.
568
Figure 40.13 The Spire (The Monument of Light), 2002, designed by Ian Ritchie, Dublin. At 120 m tall, the Spire is one of the tallest pieces of public art in the world.
