Belfast, N.Ire

Supported by Seedhead Arts & East Belfast Partnership.

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A nod to Belfast's Flax industry, its linen and folklore. 

The pocket park at Tower Street/ Newtownards Road was developed in 2011 to replace a derelict site and included the installation of linen themed artwork (which has since fallen down) and heritage signage relating to the linen industry and mills locally. It was important that Nomad Clan incorporated the linen heritage theme in their design. Here is how they describe their design:

We chose to portray a modern woman resembling a female flax gatherer from a bygone era, as this year is the 'year of the woman' we thought it would be nice to use a female centre piece which most definately created a contrast to the surrounding environment.

There is a whirl of light and flax flowers circling around her symbolising the energy and life that the flax industry sustained, one of the city’s main backbones. We wanted to produce something with an air of wonderment and nostalgia but also display how its still relevant to modern day life. We found a folklore tale that was told right up until the 19th century by Irish farmers, a story of flax being introduced by the dwellers of the Shahbna mountain. They are described as being other worldly beings so we decided to add a surreal dream like environment, something to transport the local residents from echo's of the troubles featured in the famous political murals of the area..

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