Sony 85mm GM lens

TWO FOR JOY BY EMER MAGUIRE

October 19, 2024 by infomatique

PAINT-A-BOX STREET ART ON LOWER RATHMINES ROAD

A few weeks ago I captured a delightful piece of street art! “Two for Joy” by Emer Maguire and it a colourful addition to Lower Rathmines Road.

Emer Maguire and “Two for Joy”

Emer Maguire is a self-taught artist who enjoys painting and creating art as a hobby. Her “Two for Joy” piece was created as part of the Dublin Canvas programme in 2023. It features two stylised magpies set against a vibrant yellow sky, designed to mimic a stained glass window. The inspiration came from the nearby Church of Mary Immaculate Refuge of Sinners. The black railings behind the birds helps the artwork blend seamlessly with its surroundings.

Dublin Canvas

Dublin Canvas is a fantastic initiative that transforms traffic signal boxes into vibrant works of art. It’s a brilliant way to brighten up the streetscape and support local artistic talent. Since its inception, Dublin Canvas has brought colour and creativity to over 200 traffic signal boxes across the city. This programme has certainly made paint-a-box street art a common and much-loved sight in Dublin. It not only enhances the urban environment but also provides a platform for artists to showcase their work.

Magpie Rhymes and Superstitions

The magpie rhyme referenced by the artwork is a well-known piece of folklore, particularly in the UK and Ireland:

One for sorrow,
Two for joy,
Three for a girl,
Four for a boy,
Five for silver,
Six for gold,
Seven for a secret, never to be told.

This rhyme, and the superstitions around magpies, are deeply rooted in British and Irish culture. While variations of the rhyme exist, the core theme of magpies as omens of good or bad luck remains consistent.

Global Magpie Folklore

Interestingly, magpie folklore isn’t confined to the Anglo world. Similar beliefs and superstitions around magpies can be found in various cultures across Europe and Asia.

In Korea, magpies are considered birds of good omen, symbolising happiness, good news, and fidelity.
In China, magpies are associated with joy, good fortune, and marital bliss. They are often depicted in art and literature as symbols of happiness.
In Sweden, a magpie seen chattering near the house is said to foretell a visitor.
While the specific interpretations and rhymes may differ, the widespread association of magpies with fortune, luck, and omens suggests a deeper connection between humans and these intelligent birds across various cultures.

CATS OF KELLS

September 26, 2024 by infomatique

PAINT-A-BOX ART BY OLGA KUNICHENKO AND IRINA MUNINA

Stroll down Dublin’s Pearse Street and encounter a delightful surprise: “Cats of Kells,” a vibrant mural that playfully reimagines the iconic Book of Kells through the eyes of a cat. This whimsical artwork, created by recent transplants Olga Kunichenko and Irina Munina, pays homage to Ireland’s rich artistic heritage while infusing it with a modern, lighthearted touch.

Two school friends who recently made Ireland their home, Olga and Irina, each bring their unique perspectives to the piece. Olga, a graphic designer, lends her eye for detail and composition, while Irina, a researcher, ensures the artwork’s historical accuracy and cultural relevance. Together, they’ve created a purr-fectly charming addition to Dublin’s streetscape, showcasing their love for their new city and its artistic traditions.

THE BASIN BY LAURA AND CHRISTINA

February 28, 2024 by infomatique

PAINT-A-BOX STREET ART ON BLESSINGTON STREET IN DUBLIN

This paint-a-box artwork, titled “The Basin,” draws inspiration from Dublin’s nearby Blessington Street Basin, a historical landmark steeped in the city’s rich industrial past. The artwork emerges from the creative collaboration of Guzbourine, a project formed by Irish animator and illustrator Laura, known for her stunning traditional style, and writer Christina, who crafts intricate storylines and immersive dialogue.

The Blessington Street Basin: A Legacy of Waterways and Railways

The Blessington Street Basin, tucked away in Dublin’s northside, offers a glimpse into the city’s bygone era when waterways and railways intertwined. Constructed in the early 19th century, the Basin aimed to boost Dublin’s water supply. It was directly linked to the Broadstone line of the Royal Canal, demonstrating the crucial connection between these transportation modes. Water flowed from County Westmeath via the Royal Canal, carried through a lengthy pipe to reach the Basin.

Although indirectly linked, the Basin and Ireland’s railways shared a significant relationship. The Royal Canal contributed to early railway development, with its towpaths serving as convenient routes for rail lines. Moreover, the Canal was vital for transporting goods and materials essential for building and operating the railways.

While the Blessington Street Basin no longer serves its original purpose, it remains a compelling reminder of Dublin’s intricate transport history, showcasing a time when waterways and railways propelled Ireland’s industrial progress.

AN INTERESTING ENTRANCE ON WESTERN WAY IN DUBLIN – STREET ART BY JULIETTE VIODE

June 18, 2023 by infomatique

SUNDAY 18 JUNE 2023

The minute I saw this I knew that it was by Juliette Viode.

Juliette Viodé who describes herself as follows:

“I am a mural artist and illustrator based and working in Dublin. I studied animation and illustration in Dublin and since graduating have been heavily involved in the street art scene. I was formerly the lead artist for the Dublin Canvas Project. Through this initiative, I designed and painted a series of small and large scale murals around the city. I am now working as a freelance artist and have continued to paint murals, in particular for disadvantaged communities, helping them re-take pride in their areas. I have also worked extensively with kids with learning disabilities, showing them new tools to communicate ideas.”

“Street art is not my only focus though, I have pursued my work as an illustrator through several commissioned pieces and exhibitions. I’ve most recently worked for the Sun-Pilot project at the Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research centre in Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as part of their education and public engagement program. In this project I designed illustrations to explain scientific concepts to children. The artwork I created will be used in schools throughout the EU as a teaching tool.”

“My work is vibrant, cheerful and character-centric.”

The Western Way may be unknown to most people but it connects Mountjoy Street to Constitution Hill and is therefore of some importance. There is not much to see except for this painted door.

Western Way was created as a circulation route c.1880, linking Constitution Hill to the south-west with Mountjoy Street to the east.

The Midland Great Western Railway (MGWR) developed a train station at Broadstone from 1841, and purchased the Royal Canal in 1845.

In 1877, the MGWR was given permission to close 150 yards of the canal branch line and to construct a new forecourt for the train station. The new approach road, Western Way, was built by way of Foster aqueduct, with Saint Mary’s Chapel of Ease, or the Black Church, as its eastern focal point. The road curves around the site of former Palmerston House at the north-west corner of Dominick Street Upper.

Dominick Street Upper was developed from the 1820s, but remained largely undeveloped until the Broadstone railway terminus was built.

Sites for villas and terraces were offered in the 1860s, and the north side was owned by the Palmerston estate, where they built Palmerston House north of the junction of Dominick Street Upper and Constitution Hill. The fine cast-iron railings and granite gate piers are indicative of the wealth of the MGWR as patron and high quality craftsmanship throughout the nineteenth century.