Market Force
In this month’s VWD Belfast countdown, Stan encourages visitors to take their Italian shopping bikes to market and meet Foss, a local scooterist turned artist.
Wondering about the when, the where and the why for next year’s VWD in Belfast? Stan’s gives another top tip in his ongoing series.
Situated on East Bridge Street, around a mile and a half from the Titanic Quarter, is St George’s Market – an unlikely recommendation for VWDs but unmissable nonetheless. On a weekend it hosts an eclectic mix of events and is the city’s premier venue to sample hot and cold locally produced food from a variety of stalls. It’s fair to say that everything from a bacon butty to tapas can be enjoyed here. There’s usually live music from local bands and a wide range of unique souvenirs can be purchased direct from the artists who’ve produced them. Among the range of pottery, glass, metalwork and needlecraft one artist will be particularly interesting to VWD visitors.
The scooterist’s Lowry
Belfast born ‘Foss’ is part of the Quadrophenia generation and has a long standing passion for scooters, particularly Vespas, although he currently rides an LML. Born in 1968 Foss grew up among Belfast’s never ending terraced houses, quite literally in the shadow of Harland and Wolff’s iconic gantries. It’s an industrial backdrop that lends itself perfectly to Foss’s Lowry-influenced style. “Those two up and two down houses were full of characters,” Foss explained. “Life may not have been easy but we had plenty of fun.” It’s that sense of fun which runs through Foss’s portfolio with, titles that reflect both the subject matter and Belfast’s history. My own favourite shows a group of young scooterists displaying ‘L’ plates entitled The Provisionals, a very clever double meaning. Other pieces of his work will resonate with scooterists who grew up in the 1980s; a row of boarded up shops entitled Career Opportunities reflecting life across the UK, not just Belfast. Although Foss paints a variety of subjects, it’s rare to find a print without a scooter in it somewhere, a basic rendition of both Italian marques being something of a signature. With its unique combination of local landmarks and Belfast’s scootering community, Foss’s work is an ideal souvenir from VWDs.
There’s no doubt that there’ll be plenty of entertainment on offer at the Titanic Quarter but for those seeking a spot of local colour St George’s Market is well worth a trip out. There’s even parking for your shopping bike… Words: Stan Images: Foss – www.fossartist.com