Waterford Walls 2019

21 years old, local street artist, painted at Waterford Walls every year since its inception in 2015. This is the first wall of portraiture she has painted that isn’t in black and white, she inspired by a myriad of things but mostly drift towards painting realist, detailed pieces with a contemporary twist. In this painting she wanted to focus on the representation of racial diversity in her city. She did so because inspired by working on the Walls Project’s Murals for Communities and have been assisting art workshops with loads of local families, some originally from Poland, Sudan, Syria and other places. They all liked Waterford but agreed it needs more art, trees and inclusionary spaces where people of all backgrounds can mix. She was definitely eager to paint something inclusionary and beautiful this year and to remind little girls who don’t look like your stereotypical Irish girl that they’re valued and belong here too. Funnily enough, the portrait on the right looks exactly like a little girl who’s family is originally from Afghanistan but live right across the street from this wall. Her uncle told her that the painting is her, much to her delight, and now her and her siblings peep out the window, wave and watch me paint frequently. The social interaction like this between the artist and the public is what she personally love about Waterford Walls and street art most.