Robert Ballagh (b.1943)

Féile an Phobail

Oil on board, 47 x 34.5cm (18½ x 13½)
Signed

Provenance: The Eamonn Mallie Collection

 

'Féile an Phobail' is of historical significance in the...

Robert Ballagh (b.1943)

Féile an Phobail

Oil on board, 47 x 34.5cm (18½ x 13½)
Signed

Provenance: The Eamonn Mallie Collection

 

'Féile an Phobail' is of historical significance in the sense that it presaged the IRA ceasefire. In 1993 the late Siobhan O'Hanlon a well-known republican in West Belfast commissioned Robert Ballagh to make a painting which would be appropriate to use as a poster to promote Féile an Phobail - the West Belfast Festival, which continues to go from strength to strength.

In addressing the subject matter in this painting Ballagh was prophetic in the sense that he read the tea leaves of future history correctly. As already stated he painted this image in 1993 with the IRA ceasefire not declared until August 1994. The heart of the work is a large concrete border bollard used by the army to close roads. These buffers came under habitual assault from local people hell bent on keeping the border roads open.

 

What we witness here is the bollard splitting open, new growth breaking through and a dove of peace - emerging like a butterfly from a chrysalis. The writing on the wall referencing votes and democracy proved prophetic with the IRA ceasefire taking place in the summer of 1994. This Ballagh image remained the front cover of 'Féile an Phobail' catalogues for over a decade.

Eamonn Mallie

 

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