The famous murals of The Bogside Artists of Derry, Northern Ireland

"I am amazed at the outstanding quality of this artwork." Nobel Laureate and Statesman John Hume.

"The work of the Bogside Artists is remarkable ... a vibrant response to events still vivid in the psyche of the community."Brian Friel, world-renowned playwright and author.

"The marvellous work of the artists has enhanced the historic and artistic appeal of the area and contributes to the growing sense of pride which Derry people hold for the role they have played in the events that reverberated around the world three decades ago." Councillor Mary Nelis.

"I find myself responding to the overpowering message of the murals: Here is our story." Prof. Peter Sheehan, Provost of The Australian Catholic University Sydney, Australia.

The Bogside murals are the most popular murals in Northern Ireland, and the most prominent political murals in the world.www.ukattraction.com.

I keep the mural of Annette as the background on my computer, as well as a picture hung next to my bed. Though all of the murals inspire me in some way, the piercing message and story of Annette, the butterfly and the broken gun is one I think of each day, and relate deeply with my experience in Northern Ireland.Madeleine Ehrlich - student, San Francisco Ca.

"The work provides a window into the heart of the Bogside and for that we must be truly grateful to the three artists." Prof. Raymond Helmick, of Boston College, world-renowned teacher, author and peace negotiator.

"In my five years in the building I have never seen so many people so excited by an art exhibition. We actually had senators and representatives asking to have the duration of the exhibition extended." Senator Steven Tolman, host of The Bogside Artists exhibition in the BOSTON STATE HOUSE, MA, USA.

the bogside artists

Tom Kelly, his brother William, and Kevin Hasson are the three men who created and painted all of the twelve murals of ... the internationally acclaimed

THE PEOPLE'S GALLERY
The People's Gallery of street murals depicting three decades of the conflict is the ONLY AUTHENTIC ART EXPRESSION of the long struggle for Catholic civil rights in existence, right here in Derry where it all began. They are universally acclaimed as important works of art and are cited in numerous publications and documentaries as such.

THE PEOPLE'S GALLERY is the AUTHENTIC EXPRESSION OF OUR HISTORY IN ART FORM.

It is recognized the world over. It has survived against bigotry and Philistinism from both N.Ire Arts Council and local council arts 'administration'; against party sectarianism and oligarchy, against censorship and oppression from low places and high, from Stormont to Westminster.... because of the will of the people, the real people of the Bogside.

Here is a mural we painted in Austria, the birthplace of modern Nazism. You can find out about it HERE

The narrative they depict - and the manner in which it is depicted - are UNIQUE.

We, The Bogside Artists, (Northern Ireland's best kept secret), and there are only three of us do note, painted these murals for YOU, not for your guide. This unique gallery of murals along one street was envisioned and created by us three, Tom Kelly, William Kelly and Kevin Hasson known universally as The Bogside Artists.
The People's Gallery of murals is the MAIN ATTRACTION in the Bogside as statistics freely available from INCORE (Magee University College) make abundantly clear as does the four-page write-up to be found in The Lonely Planet's Guide to Ireland and other foreign travel guides. You will not find us in the local tourist bumph.

Many thousands of people come to Derry each year to hear the history of the 'troubles' and to see these murals we created in the Bogside and which we have called THE PEOPLE'S GALLERY..

The murals are not hard to find and are but a two minute walk away from the city centre.
Below is a photo of the official recognition of our work by the Senate of the Boston State House.

We, The Bogside Artists are preventing nobody from photographing or seeing our work. Period. We deplore anybody who prevents you however they choose to do so or whatever the excuse. Listen to one such victim of this contemptible agenda.

The murals have made their own way in the world. Not a single penny has ever been spent on marketing them. That's because TRUTH needs help from nobody.

Most of the tourists who flock to Derry year after year come to view The People's Gallery. The murals depict OUR story, and in their universal reach, YOUR story, wherever you live and whatever political regime you may live under.
The People's Gallery of Murals is an irreplaceable art site of global, cultural significance.
They are beacons of truth. Their AUTHENTICITY is their uniqueness.

TOUR THE MURALS

To maintain the murals and our gallery we are driven to conduct tours of our work in the Bogside. Who better to tour the murals with... than one of The Bogside Artists who painted them, Tom, Will or Kevin? They will be happy to guide you around all twelve murals of The People's Gallery of murals and bring you back to our studio, if you so wish. You can BOOK YOUR TOUR from this site.

Watch the Video

This site is of special interest to students of fine art, public art and history; to those intending to visit Ireland, or to anyone interested in Irish affairs in general or the work of The Bogside Artists in particular.