Art
The Undertones: Punk icons immortalised in street art – BBC.com
Some of Northern Ireland’s best known punk era figures have been immortalised in new street art.
In Londonderry, the cover of The Undertones’ eponymous debut album has been recreated on a city centre wall.
In Belfast, Northern Ireland’s ‘godfather of punk’ Terri Hooley is now looking over the site of his original Good Vibrations record shop.
It’s almost 50 years since Mr Hooley invited the Derry band to record their debut EP.
On Thursday the scaffolding around The Undertones mural in Castle Street was removed.
It has been painted by Karl Porter of UV Arts and commissioned by Derry solicitors Kevin Casey and Greg McCartney, on whose premises it’s been created.
Former Undertones frontman Feargal Sharkey has tweeted his approval for the “totally brilliant bit of work”.
“My applause and appreciation to everyone involved, never thought for one second I would ever see myself staring down from Derry walls.”
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Mr McCartney said the idea started to take shape back in 2018, when he and Mr Casey were having the office painted.
As huge fans of the band, they decided, he said , the gable wall would be “a fitting place” to pay tribute, “bearing in mind there was nothing else in the city to mark their achievements”.
Derry’s mayor Patricia Logue said she is delighted with the city’s newest street art.
“It will join the Derry Girls mural as one of the many iconic images that captures the cultural heritage and creative heart of this city,” she said.
The city, she added, is developing a “modern and vibrant new visual legacy that will take visitors on a unique journey”.
The Undertones remain the most successful band to have emerged from Derry and one of the most successful to ever come from Northern Ireland.
Singles such as Teenage Kicks, Jimmy Jimmy and My Perfect Cousin soared up the charts in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
It might have been very different had they not made a trip to Belfast in 1978 for Terri Hooley’s Battle of Bands competition.
So impressed was Mr Hooley, the story goes, that he invited them to record their debut EP the following day.
That EP was Teenage Kicks.
Mr Hooley championed Northern Ireland’s punk music bands at the height of the Troubles in the 1970s and, as founder of Good Vibrations, he helped to bring to prominence bands including The Undertones and Rudi and the Outcasts.
A film based on his life was released in 2013.
The mural dedicated to Mr Hooley is one of six to have been unveiled in Belfast’s Great Victoria Street.
The artworks are part of a £500,000 project entitled Great Expectations, funded by Belfast City Council in partnership with LQ BID (Linen Quarter Business Improvement District).
The hope is they enhance “the streetscape and encouraging urban ecology”.
At its unveiling on Wednesday, Mr Hooley said the artist had done “an incredible job” in bringing the Good Vibrations story to life.
He said it was “more than a record shop and music label”.
“It was an oasis amid the confusion and chaos at the time,” he said.
Belfast mayor Ryan Murphy said paying homage to “cultural leaders like Terri Hooley, who have played such an essential role in our city’s musical story, is important in building our reputation as an arts and culture destination”.
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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