Foremost city artists reject UK CoC 2013

The artists behind the famed Bogside murals say they are opposed to Londonderry UK City of Culture 2013, not for predictable political reasons, but because they believe the promised benefits will accrue only to those in a position to exploit it.

Tom Kelly, William Kelly and Kevin Hasson began painting the Bogside People’s Gallery in 1994 and fresh artwork of theirs was recently unveiled in the European Capital of Culture 2012, Maribor, by no less than the Dalai Lama.

But they have spoken out at what they believe to be the lack of support provided by local politicians and civil authorities despite the key role their artwork has had in attracting tourists to the city over the years.

The famous Lonely Planet guide, which recently flagged Londonderry as one of four must-visit destinations in 2013, bill a tour of the Bogside murals as a must.

And although Derry City Council recently agreed to provide funding for a spruce up of the open air gallery the artists themselves do not support the UK City of Culture accolade.

They say they have no connection with those involved in the events planned for 2013 and have made their opposition widely known.

“It is believed that this is a decision taken by the council in anticipation of the coming UK City of Culture festival to begin in the city on January 2013,” the trio stated.

They added that “the promised benefits will accrue only to those in the position to exploit the situation and take advantage of the estimated £200 million guaranteed to flood into the city thanks to an expected massive increase in tourism.”

The three artists insist they do not object to the ‘UK’ aspect of the title but merely to the potential for the dividends to be concentrated in the hands of a minority of people.

“It is known that the world renowned paintings formed a significant element in the bid for the UK accolade and are unquestionably the most famous murals in Ireland,” they stated.

“Nevertheless, these iconic examples of political art have been severely neglected by arts funders in the North and by Derry’s council in particular according to the artists.

“Scant funding has been offered them since 2005 and precious little prior to 2004 to renew or maintain these twelve enormous murals that depict over three decades of the Troubles that beset the province since 1969,” they added.

As well as receiving the welcome imprimatur of Lonely Planet a survey conducted by Dr Martin Melaugh of Incore (Magee University) shows the murals were cited as the number two draw in the city even though not a single penny had ever been spent by the council in marketing them.

Tom Kelly said: “We do know that upwards of £20million has been allocated for art events in the city during 2013 but we want none of it.”

But Mr Kelly welcomed a decision by Derry City Council to provide funding for the upkeep of the Bogside murals.

“We are happy to see the council make this very long overdue decision but experience has taught us that we will believe their pledge is legitimate when they actually honour it, as we have been disappointed by similar pledges too often in the past.

“However, to make matters easier for them we have requested a sum of £25,000 to kick us off. Our intention is to return our work to its former glory and this we shall do,” he stated.

A spokesperson for Derry City Council explained that the Bogside Artists made a presentation to Development Committee in June to identify the tourism importance of their murals and to seek a commitment from relevant funders for their future maintenance.

At the Development Committee, Council acknowledged the importance of the murals and their role in telling the unique story of the City and outlined its commitment to consider the proposals put forward by the Bogside Artists.

The Council has been in contact with the Bogside Artists on several occasions in an attempt to set up a meeting to progress this. It is expected that a report on the future maintenance of the murals will be presented to a future meeting of the Development Committee.

Derry City Council has previously provided substantial financial contributions towards the restoration of the murals and revenue assistance for the Bogside Artists since 2004.

For example, during the period 01/10/04 and 15/12/08 support in the region of £107,186 and £2,500 for a Business Plan were provided while an additional £5,000 was provided as revenue support for the People’s Gallery in both 2010 and 2011, along with £1,500 in 2010 towards the costs of varnishing the murals.