Output details

6Star

Resonating the significance of WW1 to local Northern Irish cultural politics, this and other outcomes developed across two connected research interests: via ferrata and the star sign.

6Star is an artwork commissioned via EARN – European Artistic Research Network) and GradCam for‘re;public’ Temple Bar, Dublin (2010). It takes the star symbol from the Ulster banner (Official Northern Irish Flag 1954–72) a symbol also found in much loyalist and evangelical iconography, and disturbs its lack of transparency using sculptural and interactive means in its public exhibition.

A number of Shipside's artworks and exhibitions have pursued these interests including YUPA STAR (The MAC 2012), Vigil|Star (Aliceday 2011), Bivacco|Star (Third Space 2011), 6star (Temple Bar Gallery 2010), Evilsport (Stephen Lawrence Gallery 2011).

This work led directly to its partner artwork: Mortar|Device – an HD video animation deriving 6 pointed star imagery from loyalist paramilitary murals and animating it as a phenomenological artwork which links it to trench warfare weaponry of WW1 – evoking the significance of events such as the Somme to Loyalist identity and iconography.

‘6star’ was invited to be shown again in solo exhibitions in Brussels (Aliceday 2011) and Belfast (Third Space 2011) leading to a new commission and exhibition ‘Still Not Out Of The Woods’ (Shipsides and Beggs) at the MAC, Belfast (2012). The star / via ferrata connection was further explored in an invited commission at ACCA, Melbourne (Desire Lines, 2012).

These artworks; ‘6Star’, ‘LOVE’, ‘YUPA STAR’ and exhibitions; Still Not Out Of The Woods’, Vigil|Star and ‘Bivacco|Star’ explore rigorous creative possibilities around the imagery and legacy of WW1 from a Northern Ireland context – cross referenced to wider pan European contexts.