A Palisade is a strong fence or protective perimeter made of a row of wooden poles or stakes driven into the ground. Peripheral Palisading is a term usually used within the context of the cellular boundaries within abnormal neurological growths. I have reappropriated this term to reference the sociopolitical and physical (Ring of Steel) divides within the history of Belfast’s Entries. This artwork draws its inspiration from three elements: – the history of Joy’s Entry
– focusing on the Belfast Newsletter – Belfast’s Ring of Steel – Ciaran Carson’s work – esp ‘The Star Factory’.
At its core, this artwork is about visualising the complex and rich cultural history of Belfast’s Entries and more specifically, Joy’s Entry. The composition and structure of the work has been created using a number of visual metaphors that reference the three elements above. These metaphors form the basis of the piece’s narrative and act as the bridge between the artwork and the viewer.