Standing before It’s Ok to Be Different Mural one can ponder. What does it truly mean to embrace individuality? This vibrant artwork is part of the Dublin Canvas project. Dublin Canvas transforms ordinary traffic light boxes into public art.
The It’s Ok to Be Different Mural is the work of Monika S. Kowalska. It was created in 2018. Dublin Canvas oversees this eye-catching initiative. It involves all four Dublin councils. Over 750 pieces have been completed so far. Diverse Irish and international artists create vibrant new themes. Dublin Canvas is ever-changing. A new call for artwork submissions is made each spring.
Street art tells Dublin’s story in vivid color. Transient thought-provoking murals bring the city’s walls to life. Hoardings and gable ends become canvases. Irish street artists contribute their imaginations. Maser Aches and Subset are some well-known names. You’ll find ever-changing evocative street art all around the city.
Subset is an energetic collective. They aim to turn Dublin into an open-air street art gallery. Their model funds personal art projects through commercial work. Revenue from brand collaborations supports art for art’s sake.
However Subset’s large-scale work faces threats from planning laws. Some murals have been painted over. This collective operates anonymously. They prefer their message and work to function as a unit.
Subset has enlivened walls across Dublin. The Stormzy mural sparked much conversation. Other impressive pieces include Horse Boy and Gracie. Their art addresses various topics. These range from restaurant foraging to medical cannabis access. There is also a portrait of Kojaque. A mural of Conor McGregor is among them.
Subset evolved from Rabbit Hole Productions. This company did outdoor street art for brands. The CEO noticed a compelling ad on a billboard in Vienna. Recession-era hoardings in Dublin became the perfect medium for outdoor artwork.
Subset restructured its operations and secured investment. It is now a crew of ten with grand ambitions.
Funding is a major obstacle for Subset. Another is getting people to understand their work. Public art is for everyone. It is something that everyone in a community can enjoy. Murals brighten up areas. They make places feel softer. They can deter anti-social behavior.
One of the painters got into tagging and graffiti around 2007. He also painted the Stormzy mural. He is moving away from photo realism into more abstract work. The money they get is pumped back into their own projects. They are all struggling financially.
Subset’s relationship with Dublin City Council has been complex. They have faced conflicting messages. One person praises them while another suggests they should be jailed.
After complaints the council demanded that Subset paint over the Stormzy mural. Subset hadn’t sought planning permission. The piece was deemed unlawful.
The council stated that planning permission would cost twenty euro per square meter. The planning application would have been thousands of euro. They even asked if it was an Adidas ad because Stormzy was wearing an Adidas top.
An official stated that the law is black and white. They must notify artists to remove illegal developments after complaints. They equated painting a mural without permission to building an extension without permission.
Subset feels there is a lack of clarity from the council. They would be happy with rigid rules if there was a clear affordable path. The council insists there is a clear path.
There is irony. Subset collaborated with Dublin City Council in the past. They painted a mural to advertise the Canalaphonic festival. A council official praised their artwork.
As you stand here considering It’s Ok to Be Different Mural reflect on its message. Art has the power to transform spaces spark conversations and unite communities. It can be colorful or grey. Art enlivens the urban environment. It is surround sound. It is colorful. It is everything really.