C ol u m n /
A rts D iary
“The crowd … perfectly illustrated the power of art: it can inspire, unite, and motivate.”
K el l ie B u rc h kellie@ulstertatler.com
HIT THE NORTH The streets of Belfast were once again awash with colour as Hit the North, part of the Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival,, returned to town. Now in its 9th year, the street art festival, which was organised by Seedhead Arts and sponsored by Hennessey, saw 50 local, national and international street artists transform the streets of Union Street and Kent Street. As onlookers chilled on seating located throughout the city size canvas, they enjoyed a mood enhancing DJ set as well as a selection of drinks from the Sun ower Bar, as pieces of art developed before their eyes. My favourite piece from this year’s vibrant offering had to be the futuristic composition by London-based gra fiti artist Mr Cenz,, which adorns the side of a whole building on Kent Street. After snapping a few (ok, a lot) of photos of it, I bumped into Ann and Ken from ArtisAnn Gallery. As well as talking about the visual east on display, they filled me on an e citing e hibition coming to their Gallery in October: Looking Back. Thinking Black by Ciarán Harper which is part of Black History Month 2021. As I continued to wander the streets, I was mesmerised by the breadth and wealth of indisputable talent on display. Danni Simpson, who has been brightening the city with her signature artwork on lectrical o es in the inen uarter, paid homage to her Australian roots during Hit the North with her eye-catching ‘G’day’ mural. Other highlights for me included the red hued portrait by Aches, ‘Right Here, Right Now’ by lana c owell, and the uber positive ‘You Are Enough’ by Micha Purnell and of course the outstanding pieces from Kev Largey (AKA KVLR) and Nuala Convery (AKA Wee Nuls) which were previously live painted at the Hit the North launch event. Hit the orth, e pertly organised by the innovative and creative Adam Turkington of Seedhead Arts, has become a firm avourite in el ast s cultural calendar. The crowd, which was incredibly diverse and inclusive, perfectly illustrated the power of art: it can inspire, unite, and motivate. Most important of all, it can bring colour and hope to streets that have been deserted for too long. Hit the North took place on 5 September 2021.
Skye Bompas and Kate Smeltzer.
Janine Walker and Adam Turkington.
Street artists MWAK and Yella G.
Mollie McAtarsney, Tommy Blackley, Conor McClure, Andrea Shine, Carsten Quinn, Oisin Mallon and Kerry McClure.
Shane Watters and Ann-Marie Brown. Ann McVeigh and Ken Bartley.
Aine Lynn McEvoy and ‘G’.
Elsa and Andy Steen and daughters Annabel, Brigid and Isla.
Nigel O’Donoghue and Fabio Brenulato.
Aoife Quinn and Blanaid May. 108
