14 August, 2017

monday mural - a new Yeats

Unfortunately, early in 2017 the building which carried this magnificent painting was deemed to be in a dangerous condition by Sligo County Council, and the building was demolished with little or no notice being given to the general public.  A lot of people were devastated by the demolition of the building, not for the sake of the building itself, but the fact that this wonderful painting had also disappeared.

Then, in the middle of May 2017, a new painting of W. B. Yeats was erected on an adjacent building. Not quite as big or imposing as the original, but equally as welcome an addition to the streetscape of Sligo Town as the painting it had just replaced.

This new painting has also received highly complimentary comments from everyone who has seen it, and I personally think its a fantastic, very life-like, photo-realistic painting of one of Sligo's most important ex-patrons who is now a major attraction in the towns tourist industry.  The painting is the brainchild of Sligo Tidy Towns Committee, who commissioned Nik Purdy to once again paint W.B. Yeats on this building, and to breathe some life and colour into an otherwise drab looking corner of the town.
Courtesy of the Sligo Town website

Which version do you like?
I like this one but the old one was pretty impressive too.  It's too bad you couldn't have both.


Linking to Monday Mural






24 comments:

  1. It gives the street a nice and colorful upgrade.

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  2. What a sad story to demolish the old painting. But lucky you had a very well replacement. I think I like this one more too.

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  3. ...fine art on a grand scale.

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  4. Both are great. It is hard to believe they would destroy the work of art!

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  5. I guess that's how it goes with street art Bill, here today gone tomorrow! Love both the murals but this one more because it's there ☺

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  6. I like the new one!
    It is very well done as well.
    Have a good week, Bill.

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  7. So pleased that this replacement is so striking! It's very well done!

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  8. The whole mural is eye catching. It's interesting how they use the squares to contain some of his poetry.

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  9. What an amazing mural, Bill! Thank you so much for sharing.

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  10. Oh gosh, I don't think I can choose just one. They are both so nicely done!

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  11. Glad to see he's back, though I have a slight preference for the previous mural.

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  12. Wow, very lifelike and detailed.

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  13. Gee, both are fine examples of public art. It's a shame the first one was summarily demolished. I think the new one is a worthy replacement. The color blocks and script give the mural more meaning.

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  14. Either portrait is a splendid memorial to Yeats, although I think the design, colors, and poetry of this new version is more interesting and attractive. What a delightful way to expose pedestrians and bystanders to the work of a talented, terrific poet. Wish our cities would do something similar to honor poets and writers.

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  15. Ha Bill, mooie gevel. Daar pronkt hij dan in het groot. Vooral tijd bekend.
    Groet Kees.

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  16. It's great to honor this poetic genius especially with his ties to your town!
    I am very glad they replaced the demolished one.

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  17. The committee deserves a lot of credit for this commission. It's a wonderful mural. Thanks for contributing to this week's Monday Mural.

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  18. Very Nice Bill!Great painting of him!I think he also was a great poet!

    thank you for telling me!

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