ABOUT THE ART AND THE ARTIST
A striking mural on South Main Street, one of Cork’s most historic city-centre thoroughfares, continues to pose a profound question to passers-by: ‘What is Home?’.
The powerful piece, which appeared in May 2022, is the work of the Dublin-based street artist Asbestos. The mural itself, titled ‘What is Home?’, features the artist’s signature masked figure. In this instance, the figure is depicted holding a simple, small house, a poignant image that resonates deeply within the context of Ireland's ongoing housing and cost-of-living conversations.
About the Artist: Asbestos
Asbestos is a prominent figure in the Irish urban art scene, having contributed to the country's visual landscape since 2003. He specialises in mixed-media artwork, frequently combining painting and photography on found objects, such as discarded panels or boards.
His work is instantly recognisable by its recurring motif of masked figures. The artist uses these masks to explore themes of hidden identity and the different personas people present to the world.
The Ardú Street Art Project
This mural was not an isolated piece; it was commissioned as part of the Ardú Street Art Project. Ardú, the Irish word for ‘Rise’, is an annual project that aims to invigorate Cork’s public spaces by inviting exceptional artists to create large-scale, thought-provoking works.
The initiative seeks to connect the people of Cork with their city and contemporary art. Asbestos’s ‘What is Home?’ was one of several major works in that year’s programme, which also featured:
A vibrant, colourful abstract piece by Shane O’Malley at Horgan’s Quay.
A dramatic, classical-inspired work by the internationally renowned Cork artist Conor Harrington at Bishop Lucey Park.
The powerful piece, which appeared in May 2022, is the work of the Dublin-based street artist Asbestos. The mural itself, titled ‘What is Home?’, features the artist’s signature masked figure. In this instance, the figure is depicted holding a simple, small house, a poignant image that resonates deeply within the context of Ireland's ongoing housing and cost-of-living conversations.
About the Artist: Asbestos
Asbestos is a prominent figure in the Irish urban art scene, having contributed to the country's visual landscape since 2003. He specialises in mixed-media artwork, frequently combining painting and photography on found objects, such as discarded panels or boards.
His work is instantly recognisable by its recurring motif of masked figures. The artist uses these masks to explore themes of hidden identity and the different personas people present to the world.
The Ardú Street Art Project
This mural was not an isolated piece; it was commissioned as part of the Ardú Street Art Project. Ardú, the Irish word for ‘Rise’, is an annual project that aims to invigorate Cork’s public spaces by inviting exceptional artists to create large-scale, thought-provoking works.
The initiative seeks to connect the people of Cork with their city and contemporary art. Asbestos’s ‘What is Home?’ was one of several major works in that year’s programme, which also featured:
A vibrant, colourful abstract piece by Shane O’Malley at Horgan’s Quay.
A dramatic, classical-inspired work by the internationally renowned Cork artist Conor Harrington at Bishop Lucey Park.