Striking new mural partnership of Mens Shed and Arts Office
A striking new mural at Dublin Street by local artist Omin is the first public part of a project between the Seatown Men’s Shed and An Tain Arts Centre.
For a number of months now, two artists affiliated with An Tain, film maker Stephen Larkin and art therapist Pamela Whitaker have been working with the men who attend the Seatown Shed.
‘As part of the project, which is being filmed by Stephen, the men have also worked with visual artist Omin and with singer/songwriter Jinx Lennon,’ explains Paul Hayes, Director of An Tain.
‘ The idea is to let the men tell their own stories and to express their opinions, as often their voices are unheard and people expect certain behaviors from them.’
By working with Omin and Jinx Lennon, the men were able to express their experience in graffiti art and spoken word performances.
‘It’s all about their journey through life,’ says Paul, ‘ whether it’s their every day journey from home to school or work, or moving away from home when they got married , and the journey to where they are now.’
Omin created the mural at Dublin Street after conducting classes in graffiti art with the men.
;As I paint in a photo realistic style, I thought it would be a nice idea to paint portraits of the men and I have used one of them for the mural, as well as a pink ribbon which signifies the journeys that the men have taken.’
The video documenting the project, entitled ‘What of it?’ will be shown during the Bealtaine Festival in May which celebrates creativity in older people,