Mural 4: Colenso Parade- Botanic
The Ecology
Our fourth mural at Colenso Parade aims to highlight the importance of creating "moon gardens" to benefit nocturnal pollinators and therefore another Northern Ireland Priority Species group - our bats.
The mural, created by Emic, occurs adjacent to the Botanic Gardens and highlights the importance of green space for pollinators: both nocturnal and diurnal ecosystems.
Incorporated within the mural are two cavity bat bricks suitable for cavity dwelling bats such as Pipistrelles which have been recorded in the area.
The loss of roost sites in buildings and trees is one of the main causes in the decline of many bats species though we are finding out more about their, and other nocturnal species vulnerability to light pollution. The dark colour scheme was chosen to reflect this vulnerability.
Photo: Two cavity bat bricks installed at the early stages of the mural painting.
Photo: Cavity Bat Bricks during the installation process.
The Community
The artistic ecological workshop engaged the Stranmillis Neighourhood Association in the mural design.
The residents were able to share the characteristics that make their neighbourhood so special, and the messages they want to convey in regards to wildlife and urban gardens.
The key ideas shared that inspired the design of the mural:
- The importance of greens spaces for biodiversity.
- Minimising light pollution and its effect on wildlife.
- The need for high quality green spaces in their area.
- The special calming features and sense of serenity that the Botanic Gardens adds to the residents' daily lives.
- Flowers and botanicals that link back to the adjacent Botanic Gardens.
Photo: Initial concept sketches of the mural design by Emic.
The Art
Emic is an artist based in Belfast, Northern Ireland working primarily as a muralist. Blending realism with abstraction, Emic has garnered recognition for a distinctive approach to colour and tone. His art weaves together figurative, botanical, and geometrical forms, subtly reflecting the complex and layered experience of twenty-first century living.
The artwork features a bouquet of flowers on one side and a common pipistrelle bat on the other side.
The bouquet includes an arrangement of native night pollinators and flowers highlighting the concept of 'moon gardens' and linking back to adjacent Botanic Gardens. The bouquet form is intended to represent home for Stranmillis residents and wildlife.
The large scale of the Pipistrelle Bat highlights the message and draws attention to the mural from the Stranmillis road, allowing passers by to discover the habitat interpreted in the bouquet as they move closer to the wall.
The colour scheme is dark and dimly, using a dark indigo background to lean into the night time theme; allowing a perfect camouflage of the two bat boxes installed.
Photo: Emic during the mural painting process.
Photo: Artist Emic- Celebrating the completion of the mural!
Photo: Mural detail -1-
Photo: Mural detail -2-
Photo: Final Mural- Corner view
Mural Location on Google Maps
Thanks to funding from Belfast 2024!
