Mural 3: Rossmore Avenue- Ormeau

The Ecology

Our third mural at Rossmore Avenue has been created to celebrate the amber listed House Sparrow and is painted by Rhea Hanlon of Lost Lines Studio.

Cavities in buildings are a favourite of House Sparrows and a lack of suitable cavities, as well as a loss of wooded vegetation, has resulted in a decline of House Sparrows.

This mural incorporates eight woodcrete boxes with a life expectancy of 25 years that will accommodate nesting House Sparrows, though will also be used by the amber listed Starling, one of our finest avian mimics, which should make this "Singing mural" an immersive visual and musical experience.

Photo: House Sparrow woodcrete boxes installation process.

House Martin natural mud nest on wooden eaves photographed near the Waterworks

Photo: Installed House Sparrow woodcrete boxes.

The Community

During the artistic ecological workshop with Rossmore Avenue residents, a focus on nature and the community's engagement in their own green alleway along with their love for birds, music and singing helped shape the concept design for this mural.

The key ideas shared that inspired the design of the mural:

Community gardening and playful alleyway for families and children.
House sparrows having had a prominent presence in the alleway.
Bringing the surrounding nature closer to the neighbourhood.
'Singing Wall' drawing on the residents involvement in the local choir.

Initial concept sketches of the mural design by Daniela Balmaverde

Photo: Initial concept sketch of the mural design by Lost Lines Studio.

The Art

Lost Lines is a design and illustration studio based in Co.Down, Northern Ireland, run by Irish Illustrator Rhea Hanlon. Lost Lines was developed through a passion for nature, outdoor sports and quirky characters. Always striving to bring joy through a playful approach to design & illustration, Rhea’s work is recognisable through bold line work and strong use of colour.

By utilising the wall space, the mural design creates the feeling of being immersed in the undergrowth, adding a deeper layer of nature to the local area. This approach brings the surrounding greenery closer, making the urban environment feel more connected to the natural world and enhancing the sense of harmony between community spaces and nature.

The colours were chosen to compliment the green of the alley way and not to detract from it. The phrase 'singing wall' came up often during the workshop.

The highlighted house sparrows, were positioned facing each other to symbolize a sense of community with the quote “The flowers that bloom tomorrow are the seeds you plant today” as a final detail to summarise it all!