Editorial: 10 years painting pride in Waterford streetscapes

Waterford Walls has painted the town red... and a myriad of other wonderful, vibrant colours, bringing thought-provoking and exciting art to our cityscape.

This year marks the 10th birthday of the festival, which has endured all the vagaries of the last decade, including a global pandemic. Despite the challenges it has faced, Waterford Walls has returned each year, with stimulating art that has truly enhanced Waterford's urban realm. Buildings which were the worse for wear were given a new lease of life - and standing within our community, as renowned artists from across the world transformed gable walls, side walls, alleyways and so much more besides.

This year, fantastic Olympian Rhasidat Adeleke took centre stage in a work created by street artist JEKS on Jenkin's Lane. 

Waterford Walls said: "Rhasidat Adeleke is a beautiful emblem of everything that’s great about modern Ireland. She symbolises talent, hard work, achievement at the highest possible level and diversity.

"She represents the Ireland that the vast majority of us want to live in.

"We are super proud of Rhasidat and all our Olympians. Shout out to JEKS for working his magic."

Street art responds to the major events and issues of the day with a particular force that resonates with the public. Waterford Walls is the perfect foil to celebrate an athlete of the calibre of Rhasidat and her fantastic story. 

Jumping out as it does from the once rather shabby Jenkin's Lane, it oozes pride in our own - and also in our city's urban spaces.

Waterford Walls turns on its head what is or can be beautiful, and it defies property owners to take pride in and maximise their premises for the good of all our people.

When the festival started out 10 years ago there was a sense of curiosity as these works of art emerged on facades across the city. People were unsure what to expect, and gingerly welcomed the inaugural event.

A work of art spread across the entirety of the long empty Ard Rí hotel during the 2016 festival was a bold, brave move by the organisers, which cemented the street art festival in Waterford hearts and minds.

The image, which was titled 'Ar Scath a Cheile a Muireann a Daoine', and created by Joe Caslin, addressed social injustice and community support.

Today, this work has faded considerably but countless more works have emerged since, with Waterford people now anticipating the festival and its creations with fervour each year. 

If you haven't already, it is worthwhile looking up the Waterford Walls website and taking a stroll around our city to see what new works of street art have been created this year. 

Consider for a moment that people fly to Amsterdam and Berlin specifically to view the excellent street art in those cities. In Waterford, the street art which has emerged here over the past decade is of such a calibre. 

Hats off to all those passionate and imaginative people involved in championing and carrying on this great festival, and the fantastic community initiatives that have fledged from it as a result.