FEATURING MOHAMED BELOUIZDAD
THIS MURAL FEATURING MOHAMED BELOUIZDAD CAUGHT ME BY SURPRISE [ORMOND PLACE 2 JULY 2026]
While there hasn't been a massive mainstream press release detailing this specific piece, its presence makes perfect sense within the current context of Dublin’s highly active political street art scene over the last few weeks.
The mural is rich with symbolic connections that explain exactly why he is being featured:
The Anti-Colonial and Algerian Connection: Mohamed Belouizdad was a pivotal figure in the Algerian national movement, serving as the first leader of the Organisation Spéciale (OS), which laid the groundwork for the Algerian War of Independence against French colonial rule. In Irish political street art circles—particularly in areas with a long history of republican or anti-colonial murals—historical Algerian resistance figures are often highly respected.
The Intersection of Flags: In the image Investigate-270283.jpg, Belouizdad's portrait is flanked by the Palestinian flag on the left and the Algerian flag on the right. Over the past few months, Dublin has seen an immense surge in solidarity murals. Algeria has historically referred to itself as a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause (often citing their own 132-year struggle against colonisation as a parallel). Street artists in Dublin are intentionally drawing on this historical alliance, using Belouizdad as a symbol of long-standing, historic resistance ("Resist" as written on the left).
The Keffiyeh Detail: Notice that the artist has illustrated Belouizdad wearing a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh around his shoulders, rather than standard 1940s Western attire. This deliberate artistic choice visually fuses his historical Algerian identity with modern geopolitical solidarity movements currently dominating the city's walls.
It’s a striking piece of street art that blends mid-20th-century anti-colonial history with contemporary international politics.
If you've been spotting a prominent new portrait or figurative mural around the streets over the last few weeks, it is likely one of a few high-profile pieces recently completed by local artists:
Joe Caslin's SEEN (Townsend Street): Just unveiled in late June, this massive 50-foot installation features a striking, collaborative pencil-drawn portrait created alongside members of the Irish Red Cross Ukrainian Community Centre, exploring themes of identity and resilience.
Emmalene Blake's Collaboration (North Brunswick Street): A powerful project in partnership with South Sudanese artist Abul Oyay, blending Irish Famine history with modern global hunger issues.
Local Cultural/Sports Figures: Dublin's streets frequently see rotating portraits of local legends, musicians, or international human rights figures, but nothing tied to the Special Organisation (OS) of Algeria.
I will publish photographs of the above mentioned art on my return from Belfast in about ten days.
While there hasn't been a massive mainstream press release detailing this specific piece, its presence makes perfect sense within the current context of Dublin’s highly active political street art scene over the last few weeks.
The mural is rich with symbolic connections that explain exactly why he is being featured:
The Anti-Colonial and Algerian Connection: Mohamed Belouizdad was a pivotal figure in the Algerian national movement, serving as the first leader of the Organisation Spéciale (OS), which laid the groundwork for the Algerian War of Independence against French colonial rule. In Irish political street art circles—particularly in areas with a long history of republican or anti-colonial murals—historical Algerian resistance figures are often highly respected.
The Intersection of Flags: In the image Investigate-270283.jpg, Belouizdad's portrait is flanked by the Palestinian flag on the left and the Algerian flag on the right. Over the past few months, Dublin has seen an immense surge in solidarity murals. Algeria has historically referred to itself as a staunch supporter of the Palestinian cause (often citing their own 132-year struggle against colonisation as a parallel). Street artists in Dublin are intentionally drawing on this historical alliance, using Belouizdad as a symbol of long-standing, historic resistance ("Resist" as written on the left).
The Keffiyeh Detail: Notice that the artist has illustrated Belouizdad wearing a traditional Palestinian keffiyeh around his shoulders, rather than standard 1940s Western attire. This deliberate artistic choice visually fuses his historical Algerian identity with modern geopolitical solidarity movements currently dominating the city's walls.
It’s a striking piece of street art that blends mid-20th-century anti-colonial history with contemporary international politics.
If you've been spotting a prominent new portrait or figurative mural around the streets over the last few weeks, it is likely one of a few high-profile pieces recently completed by local artists:
Joe Caslin's SEEN (Townsend Street): Just unveiled in late June, this massive 50-foot installation features a striking, collaborative pencil-drawn portrait created alongside members of the Irish Red Cross Ukrainian Community Centre, exploring themes of identity and resilience.
Emmalene Blake's Collaboration (North Brunswick Street): A powerful project in partnership with South Sudanese artist Abul Oyay, blending Irish Famine history with modern global hunger issues.
Local Cultural/Sports Figures: Dublin's streets frequently see rotating portraits of local legends, musicians, or international human rights figures, but nothing tied to the Special Organisation (OS) of Algeria.
I will publish photographs of the above mentioned art on my return from Belfast in about ten days.
FEATURING MOHAMED BELOUIZDAD