From murals to morals: a picture of Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland situation is one of the most contentious in modern history. The key aspect of the "Troubles" is the intertwining of religion and politics: Catholics generally advocate Ireland's reunification, while Protestants hold that the North should remain part of the UK. One need only walk the streets of Belfast to understand the magnitude of this link. Pavement painted red, white, and blue signify a Protestant/Unionist area; a few blocks down the road, green, white, and orange pavement delineates a Catholic/Nationalist neighborhood. Central to the conflict's visibility are the political murals that occupy much of the region's wall space. These works serve as canvases to display aggression and catharsis as well as memorials for the fallen. This image display will examine the ways in which political murals allow their creators and viewers to construct their views of history, encourage mobilization, and recreate their cultural heritage.