STREET ART PROJECTS are being used “to create something more meaningful for young men in Ireland to be part of”.
That’s according to Irish artist Joe Caslin who says that, “as a nation we have pushed a significant number of our young men to the very edges of society and created within them feelings of neglect and apathy.
It is now time to empower these young lads and give them a sense of belonging.
Caslin is working with men all over the country in creating large scale drawings, which are then pasted to iconic buildings in cities and towns throughout the country, as part of his ‘Our Nation’s Sons’ street art project.
He told TheJournal.ie that he wants to put the issues surrounding young men in view.
You might recognise the work if you’ve passed by Trinity college recently.
Caslin says “a drawing has the power to go further than words”.
He also done work at Achill-Henge, Co. Mayo.
Joe Caslin says that “there are a growing number of Irish men who feel let down or indeed, left out of an ever-changing Irish society.
By engaging them in this type of creative process, the project aims to give them the chance to be part of a social movement that aims to create something positive for the community in which the street art is displayed.
The projects are carried out by local community youth groups and schools. Caslin said when you give them a job this big -”they really do get motivated”.
“Three months goes into each project but the most important part is putting up the drawing – which the young men do themselves.
The lads are getting up at 6 in the morning and others are working until 2am to get these projects done. That’s not just going along with it. Everybody is working on it for their own reasons.
Limerick City of Culture
The ‘Our Nation’s Sons’ street art project will be part of the Limerick City of Culture 2014 programme.
Caslin says “the 110ft storey drawing that will be installed has the potential to resonate and disrupt the visual landscape of the city.
It has the power to pull a passer-by from the mundane, the power to trend and the power to gain real social momentum. It will re-establish respect for and showcase the capabilities of our nation’s sons.
He also added how he acknowledges that this project may not change the world but that it’s starting conversations.
People are asking what is it doing here? what does it signify? – that’s the whole idea behind the project.
The Limerick installation is being put up on the old Ranks Grain Store, Dock Road.
The enlisted young men for this project are from C.B.S. Sexton Street and Crescent College Comprehensive.
Caslin told TheJournal.ie that the project has really taken off and that he will be going to Galway Film Fleadh next week before travelling to Cork, Waterford and Belfast with the project.
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