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Celebrating Life & Street Art: Zabou’s Breastfeeding Mural in Waterford

This mural was created in October 2023. It was specifically commissioned for National Breastfeeding Week in Ireland (which ran during the first week of October 2023) through a collaboration between The Walls Project, Healthy Waterford, and the HSE to promote and normalise breastfeeding in public spaces.

The Artwork & The Artist

Titled Annabelle & Billy, this striking artwork was created by the acclaimed London-based French street artist Zabou.
The mural captures a tender, intimate moment between a mother and her baby. Zabou is renowned for her expressive, photorealistic portraiture—often rendering her subjects in detailed black-and-white against vibrant, high-contrast backdrops. Here, the warm pink and coral tones envelop the mother and child, framing a gentle everyday moment with raw warmth and affection.
The piece was created in partnership with Healthy Waterford to mark National Breastfeeding Week. It serves as a powerful piece of public art designed to celebrate, normalise, and destigmatise breastfeeding in everyday public spaces.

The Location & The Event

Location: Located at the corner of Green Street on the exterior wall of Mulligan's Pharmacy, right in the heart of Waterford City, near the Edmund Rice Heritage Centre.
The Event: Commissioned through Waterford Walls (driven by The Walls Project), Ireland’s premier international street art festival. Every year, the festival invites world-class muralists to transform the city's urban landscapes into an expansive, open-air gallery.

Previous Work in Waterford

"Same But Different" (2021): Zabou participated in the 2021 Waterford Walls Festival, creating a large-scale portrait mural titled "Same But Different" located at 68 Ballybeg Park in Waterford.

Other Notable Projects in Ireland

Dún Laoghaire Anseo (Dublin): Zabou was commissioned for the dl Anseo street art festival in Dún Laoghaire, where she created a striking portrait of a sailor looking out to sea, subtly integrating the building's physical architectural features (such as transforming a window frame into a lighthouse beacon).
Her practice frequently brings her back to Ireland for both festival appearances and standalone public art initiatives, characterised by her signature monochrome photorealistic portraiture paired with bold background colours.

Looking Ahead to Waterford Walls 2026

I will arrive on the 10th of August and remain until the 15th.
Dates: The 12th edition of the Waterford Walls Festival takes place from Friday, 7 August to Sunday, 16 August 2026.
What to Expect: Over ten days, dozens of national and international artists will be creating new large-scale murals live across the city. Visitors can take guided walking tours, participate in hands-on workshops, attend artist talks, and enjoy live music and street performances while watching blank walls transform in real time.

The Urban Cartographer