THE GALLERY OF STARS DECEMBER 2025
I REVISITED THE GALLERY OF STARS IN DECEMBER 2025 [THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CHANGES]
The Shifting Faces of Corporation Street: A Midnight Revisit to the "Gallery of Stars"
Updated: 11 December 2025
1. Introduction: The Evolving Canvas of Belfast
Belfast’s urban landscape is a dynamic canvas, with its street art serving as a vibrant, ever-changing chronicle of the city’s pulse. Among its notable public artworks, Glen Molloy’s "Gallery of Stars" on Corporation Street has captivated passers-by since its emergence in 2016.
I last wrote about this location in May 2025, noting empty frames and potential changes. On 11 December 2025, I returned to the site under the cover of darkness. Photographing the gallery at night offered a new perspective—the faces looming out of the shadows, illuminated by streetlights and little else. My recent visit confirmed what I suspected in May: the gallery has undergone a significant transformation. The roster of stars has churned, with new legends appearing while others have faded into the wall’s history.
2. Glen Molloy: The "Belfast Banksy"
To understand the changes, one must understand the creator. Glen Molloy, often dubbed the "Belfast Banksy," is the creative force behind these portraits. A legendary DJ in East Belfast during the 90s, Molloy’s roots in visual art go back to the graffiti scene of the 1980s.
His motivation has always been urban rejuvenation. He once described Corporation Street as "very badly run down," expressing a desire to create something monumental to instil civic pride. He transitioned from graffiti lettering to pictorial murals because, in his words, "a picture that speaks a thousand words seemed like a much better option."
3. The December 2025 Audit: Who Remains?
In the initial 2016–2017 run, the wall boasted a lineup of approximately ten to eleven figures. My visit on a cold December night in 2025 reveals that the gallery has been curated once again. Based on my latest photographs, the lineup has tightened, and the subjects have shifted.
The Survivors (The Originals) Several of Molloy’s earliest portraits have survived the test of time and the elements:
David Bowie: The music legend remains a central anchor of the piece.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Still present, depicted as Dom Cobb from Inception.
Christopher Walken: The intense gaze of the Hollywood veteran remains.
Adam Ant: The flamboyant singer is still part of the collection.
Simon Pegg: The Shaun of the Dead star is still fighting zombies (or at least, looking out over the car park).
The New Arrivals The "empty frames" I noted in May have been filled, or old faces painted over to make way for new tributes:
Amy Winehouse: A striking, large-scale portrait of the late soul singer is now a dominant feature.
Carrie Fisher: Depicted as Princess Leia, she now watches over the street, adding a sci-fi royalty element.
Joe Strummer: The Clash frontman appears next to Carrie Fisher, bringing a punk ethos to the wall.
Liam Gallagher: A monochromatic portrait of the Oasis frontman (giving the V-sign) has appeared, replacing the spot likely held by his brother Noel or another musician.
The Departed Your observation was sharp—there are indeed fewer people than the original count. Several heavy hitters from the 2017 era were notably missing from my December 2025 walkthrough:
Bruce Lee
Jack Nicholson
Billy Casper (from Kes)
Harrison Ford (potentially removed or obscured)
4. Conclusion: A Living Gallery
The "Gallery of Stars" is not a static museum exhibit; it is a living entity. The specific removal of figures like Jack Nicholson and Bruce Lee to make room for Amy Winehouse and Joe Strummer suggests a shift in the artist's focus—perhaps leaning more heavily into musical icons who left us too soon (Bowie, Winehouse, Strummer, Fisher).
Photographing these murals at night highlights their ephemeral nature. They are temporary monuments in a changing city, susceptible to weather, redevelopment, and the artist's own evolving inspiration. If you are in Belfast, visit Corporation Street soon—before the faces change again.
The Shifting Faces of Corporation Street: A Midnight Revisit to the "Gallery of Stars"
Updated: 11 December 2025
1. Introduction: The Evolving Canvas of Belfast
Belfast’s urban landscape is a dynamic canvas, with its street art serving as a vibrant, ever-changing chronicle of the city’s pulse. Among its notable public artworks, Glen Molloy’s "Gallery of Stars" on Corporation Street has captivated passers-by since its emergence in 2016.
I last wrote about this location in May 2025, noting empty frames and potential changes. On 11 December 2025, I returned to the site under the cover of darkness. Photographing the gallery at night offered a new perspective—the faces looming out of the shadows, illuminated by streetlights and little else. My recent visit confirmed what I suspected in May: the gallery has undergone a significant transformation. The roster of stars has churned, with new legends appearing while others have faded into the wall’s history.
2. Glen Molloy: The "Belfast Banksy"
To understand the changes, one must understand the creator. Glen Molloy, often dubbed the "Belfast Banksy," is the creative force behind these portraits. A legendary DJ in East Belfast during the 90s, Molloy’s roots in visual art go back to the graffiti scene of the 1980s.
His motivation has always been urban rejuvenation. He once described Corporation Street as "very badly run down," expressing a desire to create something monumental to instil civic pride. He transitioned from graffiti lettering to pictorial murals because, in his words, "a picture that speaks a thousand words seemed like a much better option."
3. The December 2025 Audit: Who Remains?
In the initial 2016–2017 run, the wall boasted a lineup of approximately ten to eleven figures. My visit on a cold December night in 2025 reveals that the gallery has been curated once again. Based on my latest photographs, the lineup has tightened, and the subjects have shifted.
The Survivors (The Originals) Several of Molloy’s earliest portraits have survived the test of time and the elements:
David Bowie: The music legend remains a central anchor of the piece.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Still present, depicted as Dom Cobb from Inception.
Christopher Walken: The intense gaze of the Hollywood veteran remains.
Adam Ant: The flamboyant singer is still part of the collection.
Simon Pegg: The Shaun of the Dead star is still fighting zombies (or at least, looking out over the car park).
The New Arrivals The "empty frames" I noted in May have been filled, or old faces painted over to make way for new tributes:
Amy Winehouse: A striking, large-scale portrait of the late soul singer is now a dominant feature.
Carrie Fisher: Depicted as Princess Leia, she now watches over the street, adding a sci-fi royalty element.
Joe Strummer: The Clash frontman appears next to Carrie Fisher, bringing a punk ethos to the wall.
Liam Gallagher: A monochromatic portrait of the Oasis frontman (giving the V-sign) has appeared, replacing the spot likely held by his brother Noel or another musician.
The Departed Your observation was sharp—there are indeed fewer people than the original count. Several heavy hitters from the 2017 era were notably missing from my December 2025 walkthrough:
Bruce Lee
Jack Nicholson
Billy Casper (from Kes)
Harrison Ford (potentially removed or obscured)
4. Conclusion: A Living Gallery
The "Gallery of Stars" is not a static museum exhibit; it is a living entity. The specific removal of figures like Jack Nicholson and Bruce Lee to make room for Amy Winehouse and Joe Strummer suggests a shift in the artist's focus—perhaps leaning more heavily into musical icons who left us too soon (Bowie, Winehouse, Strummer, Fisher).
Photographing these murals at night highlights their ephemeral nature. They are temporary monuments in a changing city, susceptible to weather, redevelopment, and the artist's own evolving inspiration. If you are in Belfast, visit Corporation Street soon—before the faces change again.
GALLERY OF STARS