FOLLOWING a lack of planning permission, the area of Smithfield in Dublin's City Centre could soon be Stormzy-less.
The city's council have instructed that the mural to the British rapper be taken down as the collective responsible for the painting, Subset, did not seek permission before the project.
This is not the first time Dublin City Council have instructed the taking down of a mural, as they previously ordered for the removal of The Claddagh Embrace by Joe Caslin, a painting that supported the same-sex marriage referendum in 2015.
21st Century Ireland in 21 Artworks: The Claddagh Embrace, Joe Caslin https://t.co/k4Uu7fIRjT via @rte
— Cristín Leach (@cristinleach) August 8, 2017
The Stormzy mural, a scene from Stormzy's Shut Up video was painted in honour of the rapper's show in The Olympia earlier this year attracted attention from hundreds of fans across the city and even the attention of the rapper himself.
Dublin, I don't know who's responsible for this but thank you and tomorrow is gonna be MAD. Kicking off the tour strong #GSAP ??? pic.twitter.com/x5vS9LU15v
— #GSAP (@Stormzy1) March 28, 2017
Dublin City Council have informed Subset the mural will be removed by December 15th, which prompted the collective to respond by partially painting over the mural, á la the style of Banksy.
The Council Strikes Again...
-#dublincity #culture #stormzy@Stormzy1 pic.twitter.com/jwgnCmblkW— SUBSET (@SubsetDublin) November 23, 2017
They also painted another mural in protest to the council's request. a picture of Donald Trump wearing a hat that read "make america grey again".
“When you build a wall, it’s gotta be grey.” - @realDonaldTrump #dublincity #culture #itsgonnabehuge pic.twitter.com/KQeSMRSenB
— SUBSET (@SubsetDublin) November 24, 2017
Residents of Dublin and indeed Ireland have been pleading with Dublin City Council to leave the mural as it stands, an artistic staple of the city.
Dear @DubCityCouncil, if your intention is to remove the Stormzy mural, it's a step back for Smithfield. It is now a landmark of the area. pic.twitter.com/4GkpmGmmkw
— Rioghnach (@rioghnachNiG) November 23, 2017
I found a picture from the meeting where Dublin City Council decided to get rid of the Stormzy mural in Smithfield, rather than tackling the homeless/accomodation crisis... pic.twitter.com/zMwic2Inox
— Luke (@lukebermmusic) November 23, 2017
Shocker that @DubCityCouncil are trying to get rid of the Stormzy mural ? People actually go to Smithfield specifically to get pictures with it, don't be wrecking the arts! HUP @SubsetDublin !! pic.twitter.com/KHQlBhggJL
— Josh McClorey (@Josh_McClorey) November 26, 2017
can't believe they're painting over the stormzy mural, Dublin City Council, really tackling the important issues ?
— michelle (@moanbagmichelle) November 26, 2017
