Historic Sculptures Unveiled

Two new sculptures, reflecting the heritage and history of the Crumlin Road area, have been unveiled this morning.

The stone sculptures, by local artist Jason Mulligan, are erected at Snugville Street and Tudor Place.

Each work is inspired by pieces from notable poets and painters from the area, such as Albert Haslett, (pictured here with Baroness May Blood, who is a former mill worker) William Conor and Markey Robinson.

The project was undertaken by Belfast City Council through the 'Renewing the Routes' programme, which is a partnership initiative between the council, the Department for Social Development (DSD) through the Belfast Regeneration Office (BRO), the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), and the Belfast Area Partnership Boards.

The first of the two pieces, the 'Tudor Pillar’'is located at Tudor Place and symbolises the renewal of this locality while also reflecting the history of the area, as well documented by the artist, William Conor.

Developed by working closely with local residents, the contemporary stone sculpture is en-scripted with the word 'Tudor' on the front and affixed to the back and sides of the sculpture are a series of recessed bronze plaques that document the industrial and cultural heritage of this area.

The other stone relief sculpture is located at the junction with Snugville Street.

Entitled 'One Instant Out Of Time', the piece combines the works of three of the area's most notable artists with the visual imagery and text used in the sculptures is derived from the poetic works of Albert Haslett, the figurative paintings of William Conor and Markey Robinson, and imagery from local people in the bronze plaques that are recessed into the outer edges of the sculptures and which were also realised through the Tudor community workshops.

The carvings depict the image of two mill workers or 'shawlies', a scene that would have been familiar in this part of Belfast during the height of the linen industry in the 1900s. From one view point, as the viewer passes by, the two images of the women become one, creating a united image referring to a sense of community and a coming together in times of hardship.

"The Crumlin Road area has produced some notable painters and poets which were as much an inspiration for the artworks as the industrial heritage of the mills and, in particular, the contribution of women in the mills," commented Councillor William Humphrey, Chairman of Belfast City Council's Development Committee, who joined Baroness May Blood for the official unveiling of the new works this morning.

"These new sculptures are a fitting testament to that creative talent of the past, and to that which continues to exist in the area, as evidence by the bronze plaques created by members of the local community during design workshops," he added.

(BMcC/GK)