Mural Removal at Grand Central Station

A mural of a local celebrity that was unveiled at the Grand Central Station in Belfast has been removed. The painting, which was believed to be of musician Van Morrison, had been on display at the train station for a month after its installation.

Background of the Mural

The artist, Johnny Hamilton, was commissioned to create the portrait, but its unveiling was postponed indefinitely last week. Translink, which runs the station, and the company representing the celebrity were contacted by BBC News NI regarding the latest development. The mural had been positioned on the front doors above the glass front at the train station, but was covered by a large pink question mark painted on a black background.

Reaction from the Artist

Mr. Hamilton, who works under the alias Jossiepops, expressed his disappointment and humiliation over the situation. He stated that it is disappointing when a company commissions you to work with them, and you do your part, but they don’t fulfill theirs. The artist had announced on his website that the unveiling was postponed, calling it "disappointing" and "humiliating."

The Creation of the Mural

The painting itself took two months to prepare, comprised more than 15 coats of paint, and was changed twice from its original design. The entire process, from the actual painting to the frame and installation at Belfast’s Grand Central Station, was a significant undertaking. The painting required six people to move it comfortably due to its large scale.

Unveiling Postponed

The unveiling, which was set for the early morning hours of June 10, did not happen as planned. Mr. Hamilton said that part of his agreement was that the piece had to be flexible, and Translink agreed to make it happen. However, he was later told that the unveiling would not take place.

Social Media Engagement

Mr. Hamilton had engaged with his supporters on social media, asking them to guess who the celebrity behind the mural could be. He received over 200,000 views on his social media posts, generating significant interest and speculation about the identity of the celebrity.

Confidentiality Contract

Mr. Hamilton was unable to disclose the identity of the celebrity behind the question mark due to a confidentiality contract. The whole mural has now been completely removed from the Grand Central Station. Translink and the company representing the celebrity have not commented on the reason behind the removal of the mural.