FLOWERS ON THE STREET PRODUCED IN 2017 BY LULA GROCE
FLOWERS ON THE STREET PRODUCED IN 2017 BY LULA GROCE [I PHOTOGRAPHED THIS MURAL IN 2017 AND ITS REPLACEMENT IN AUGUST 2025]
I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph this almost as soon as it had been completed but for a variety my photographs were not as good as they could have been because I used a 15mm F4.5 super-wide-angle lens which resulted in an unacceptable level of distortion which I could not correct for at the time. In August 2025 I was able to photograph day by day the creation of a replacement Mural by French artist Nerone and this time my equipment was much more suitable for the task.
A New Canvas for Waterford: The Evolution of a Mural
In the vibrant heart of Waterford, Ireland, the cityscape is a living, breathing gallery. The annual Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival, a beacon of urban regeneration, has always embraced change. This year, the festival is once again making headlines, as a beloved mural created in 2017 by Spanish artist Lula Goce is replaced by a new work from the acclaimed French artist Nerone. This event is not an act of erasure, but a deliberate and foundational element of the festival's philosophy—a powerful testament to the concept of a "living gallery".
From Galicia to the Walls: The Artistic Journey of Lula Goce
The story begins with the original mural's creator, Lula Goce. A Spanish artist with a distinctive path, her work is uniquely informed by her formal academic background and a profound connection to the natural world. Born in Galicia, Spain, her early life was shaped by the "salty coastal air, barnacles, drizzle and the beautiful beaches" of the region. This influence is deeply woven into her artistic identity.
Goce’s journey is notable for its rigorous academic foundation. She graduated in fine arts with a specialisation in painting from Salamanca and continued her advanced studies in Barcelona, earning both a Master's and a PhD in artistic creation. This extensive training set her apart, blurring the lines between the conventional art world and the dynamic urban environment. Her move from the structured gallery setting to the street was, in her own words, a "revelation". She found a profound appeal in the direct interaction with the public and the "muscularity" required to create large-scale public pieces.
Her style is characterised by "powerfully evocative and huge photorealistic scenes" that employ bright colours and a strong expressiveness. A recurring motif is the integration of people and nature, a thematic choice that adds a poetic and inspiring dimension to her creations.
Flowers on O'Connell Street
Lula Goce's contribution to the 2017 Waterford Walls Festival was a significant addition to the city's burgeoning outdoor gallery. Titled "Flowers on O'Connell Street," the mural was painted on a prominent location at the rear of Dooley's Hotel. The creation of this artwork took place during the festival’s third and largest year, which featured 40 artists from five continents. Goce’s process was notably challenging due to persistent heavy rain. An interesting detail is her use of durable emulsion house paint, designed to last for a decade or more. The fact that the mural would eventually be replaced, despite the use of a long-lasting material, is a crucial point that highlights the festival's overarching philosophy.
The Festival's Philosophy: A Living Gallery
The Waterford Walls Festival is more than a simple showcase of artistic talent; it is a strategic initiative for urban regeneration and cultural revitalisation. Managed by The Walls Project, a social enterprise, its mission is to "transform and regenerate urban spaces" by using public art as a catalyst for "community building" and "social regeneration". By transforming derelict buildings and neglected walls, the festival has turned Waterford into a "living gallery" and one of Ireland's largest open-air exhibitions.
This commitment to continuous transformation is a core tenet of the festival's philosophy. The art is viewed not as a permanent fixture but as a dynamic, evolving layer of the city's landscape. The purposeful replacement of murals, even those in good condition, ensures that the city’s public art collection remains fresh and consistently offers new experiences for both locals and visitors. This model ensures the festival remains a key driver of tourism and economic activity, reinforcing Waterford's identity as a modern and culturally vibrant hub.
A Deliberate Transition: From Goce to Nerone
The replacement of Lula Goce's mural by a new work from Nerone is a perfect illustration of this operational model. Despite Goce's mural being in good condition, its replacement after eight years is a deliberate curatorial and strategic decision. The festival's process is highly structured, with wall owners, such as Dooley's Hotel, collaborating with The Walls Project. Dooley's continued partnership and sponsorship confirms that this was a sanctioned and mutually agreed-upon transition.
This cyclical process of creation and replacement is foundational to the festival's success. As the festival's director, Gabe McGuinness, has stated, "each year, Waterford Walls brings new energy, colour, and conversation to the city," and the 2025 event is no different. This continuous cycle of renewal is a far more powerful branding statement for the city than a static collection of ageing murals. The overpainting of Goce's work therefore represents not an ending, but a new beginning, passing the canvas to the next artistic vision.
The New Vision: Nerone's Abstract Floral Art
The new mural for the O'Connell Street site is by Nerone, a renowned French street artist. He is described as one of the most prolific and fascinating French street artists of the 21st century. His work diverges sharply from traditional street art, focusing on "abstract floral art" that innovatively combines colours and motion. The resulting aesthetic is both chaotic and meticulous, speaking to viewers in an uplifting and engaging way.
A key aspect of Nerone's artistic philosophy is his commitment to spreading a positive message through his art. His work conveys an "unstoppably upbeat vibe," which provides a fresh and optimistic perspective within the urban art sphere. His inclusion in the 2025 festival lineup as an "International highlight" underscores his status in the global art scene and the festival's continued ability to attract world-class talent. The transition from Goce's photorealistic and poetic style to Nerone's abstract, dynamic, and colourful vision marks a deliberate aesthetic evolution for this prominent site.
The Legacy in Memory
The replacement of Lula Goce's mural with a new work by Nerone is more than a simple change; it is a curatorial shift on a single, prominent canvas. The juxtaposition of these two artists highlights the diversity of styles and visions that the Waterford Walls Festival brings to the city. This event is a practical demonstration of how public art can be used as a dynamic tool for urban and cultural branding. A festival that relies on a yearly influx of visitors and media attention must continuously offer something new. By refreshing key sites, the festival ensures that it remains a "must-see" destination, driving repeat tourism and local engagement annually.
The overpainting of a mural, even a beloved one, is not an act of erasure but a planned, essential step in a continuous cycle of artistic innovation and community engagement. The legacy of Lula Goce’s work endures not on the wall itself, but in the memory of those who experienced it and in the dialogue it sparked. The canvas has now been passed to Nerone, ensuring that the site continues to generate new energy, conversation, and cultural significance for the city.
I was fortunate enough to be able to photograph this almost as soon as it had been completed but for a variety my photographs were not as good as they could have been because I used a 15mm F4.5 super-wide-angle lens which resulted in an unacceptable level of distortion which I could not correct for at the time. In August 2025 I was able to photograph day by day the creation of a replacement Mural by French artist Nerone and this time my equipment was much more suitable for the task.
A New Canvas for Waterford: The Evolution of a Mural
In the vibrant heart of Waterford, Ireland, the cityscape is a living, breathing gallery. The annual Waterford Walls International Street Art Festival, a beacon of urban regeneration, has always embraced change. This year, the festival is once again making headlines, as a beloved mural created in 2017 by Spanish artist Lula Goce is replaced by a new work from the acclaimed French artist Nerone. This event is not an act of erasure, but a deliberate and foundational element of the festival's philosophy—a powerful testament to the concept of a "living gallery".
From Galicia to the Walls: The Artistic Journey of Lula Goce
The story begins with the original mural's creator, Lula Goce. A Spanish artist with a distinctive path, her work is uniquely informed by her formal academic background and a profound connection to the natural world. Born in Galicia, Spain, her early life was shaped by the "salty coastal air, barnacles, drizzle and the beautiful beaches" of the region. This influence is deeply woven into her artistic identity.
Goce’s journey is notable for its rigorous academic foundation. She graduated in fine arts with a specialisation in painting from Salamanca and continued her advanced studies in Barcelona, earning both a Master's and a PhD in artistic creation. This extensive training set her apart, blurring the lines between the conventional art world and the dynamic urban environment. Her move from the structured gallery setting to the street was, in her own words, a "revelation". She found a profound appeal in the direct interaction with the public and the "muscularity" required to create large-scale public pieces.
Her style is characterised by "powerfully evocative and huge photorealistic scenes" that employ bright colours and a strong expressiveness. A recurring motif is the integration of people and nature, a thematic choice that adds a poetic and inspiring dimension to her creations.
Flowers on O'Connell Street
Lula Goce's contribution to the 2017 Waterford Walls Festival was a significant addition to the city's burgeoning outdoor gallery. Titled "Flowers on O'Connell Street," the mural was painted on a prominent location at the rear of Dooley's Hotel. The creation of this artwork took place during the festival’s third and largest year, which featured 40 artists from five continents. Goce’s process was notably challenging due to persistent heavy rain. An interesting detail is her use of durable emulsion house paint, designed to last for a decade or more. The fact that the mural would eventually be replaced, despite the use of a long-lasting material, is a crucial point that highlights the festival's overarching philosophy.
The Festival's Philosophy: A Living Gallery
The Waterford Walls Festival is more than a simple showcase of artistic talent; it is a strategic initiative for urban regeneration and cultural revitalisation. Managed by The Walls Project, a social enterprise, its mission is to "transform and regenerate urban spaces" by using public art as a catalyst for "community building" and "social regeneration". By transforming derelict buildings and neglected walls, the festival has turned Waterford into a "living gallery" and one of Ireland's largest open-air exhibitions.
This commitment to continuous transformation is a core tenet of the festival's philosophy. The art is viewed not as a permanent fixture but as a dynamic, evolving layer of the city's landscape. The purposeful replacement of murals, even those in good condition, ensures that the city’s public art collection remains fresh and consistently offers new experiences for both locals and visitors. This model ensures the festival remains a key driver of tourism and economic activity, reinforcing Waterford's identity as a modern and culturally vibrant hub.
A Deliberate Transition: From Goce to Nerone
The replacement of Lula Goce's mural by a new work from Nerone is a perfect illustration of this operational model. Despite Goce's mural being in good condition, its replacement after eight years is a deliberate curatorial and strategic decision. The festival's process is highly structured, with wall owners, such as Dooley's Hotel, collaborating with The Walls Project. Dooley's continued partnership and sponsorship confirms that this was a sanctioned and mutually agreed-upon transition.
This cyclical process of creation and replacement is foundational to the festival's success. As the festival's director, Gabe McGuinness, has stated, "each year, Waterford Walls brings new energy, colour, and conversation to the city," and the 2025 event is no different. This continuous cycle of renewal is a far more powerful branding statement for the city than a static collection of ageing murals. The overpainting of Goce's work therefore represents not an ending, but a new beginning, passing the canvas to the next artistic vision.
The New Vision: Nerone's Abstract Floral Art
The new mural for the O'Connell Street site is by Nerone, a renowned French street artist. He is described as one of the most prolific and fascinating French street artists of the 21st century. His work diverges sharply from traditional street art, focusing on "abstract floral art" that innovatively combines colours and motion. The resulting aesthetic is both chaotic and meticulous, speaking to viewers in an uplifting and engaging way.
A key aspect of Nerone's artistic philosophy is his commitment to spreading a positive message through his art. His work conveys an "unstoppably upbeat vibe," which provides a fresh and optimistic perspective within the urban art sphere. His inclusion in the 2025 festival lineup as an "International highlight" underscores his status in the global art scene and the festival's continued ability to attract world-class talent. The transition from Goce's photorealistic and poetic style to Nerone's abstract, dynamic, and colourful vision marks a deliberate aesthetic evolution for this prominent site.
The Legacy in Memory
The replacement of Lula Goce's mural with a new work by Nerone is more than a simple change; it is a curatorial shift on a single, prominent canvas. The juxtaposition of these two artists highlights the diversity of styles and visions that the Waterford Walls Festival brings to the city. This event is a practical demonstration of how public art can be used as a dynamic tool for urban and cultural branding. A festival that relies on a yearly influx of visitors and media attention must continuously offer something new. By refreshing key sites, the festival ensures that it remains a "must-see" destination, driving repeat tourism and local engagement annually.
The overpainting of a mural, even a beloved one, is not an act of erasure but a planned, essential step in a continuous cycle of artistic innovation and community engagement. The legacy of Lula Goce’s work endures not on the wall itself, but in the memory of those who experienced it and in the dialogue it sparked. The canvas has now been passed to Nerone, ensuring that the site continues to generate new energy, conversation, and cultural significance for the city.