Latest news with #JohnnyHamilton
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Mural removed from Grand Central Station before unveiling
A mural of a local celebrity, which had been due to be unveiled at Belfast's Grand Central Station, has been removed. The painting, thought by sources to be the musician Van Morrison, remained covered at the station for a month after its Johnny Hamilton was commissioned to create the portrait, but its unveiling had been postponed indefinitely last week. Translink, which operates the station, and the company representing the celebrity have been contacted by BBC News NI regarding the latest development. Following the confirmation last week that the project was being delayed, Exile Productions, who it's believed commissioned the mural, did not provide a response after being contacted by the said last week that it only facilitated the space and further questions should be directed to the artist and company that commissioned the to BBC News NI on Friday, Mr Hamilton said: "It's disappointing because when you're approached by a company to do a collaboration with them you do your part and you expect them to do their part." The painting had been positioned at the front doors over the glass frontage at the station but was covered by a large pink question mark painted onto a black whole thing has now been removed completely. Writing on his website last week, Mr Hamilton, who works under the alias Jossiepops said: "This is not only disappointing, it's humiliating."The BBC had been in contact with the artist with a plan to film the unveiling of the 5m x 2m portrait last month. Mr Hamilton had been teasing followers on social media about who he might be painting. The painting itself took two months of preparation, involved more than 15 tins of paint and was altered twice from its original was filmed; from the actual painting, to its framing and then installation in Belfast's Grand Central painting itself took six people to move comfortably due to its Hamilton said part of his brief was that the piece had to be movable and Translink agreed to facilitate then he was told that the unveiling, set for the early hours of 10 June, was not going ahead. Mr Hamilton has been unable to disclose the identity of the celebrity behind the question mark due to a non-disclosure agreement.
BBC News
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Artist 'humiliated' after giant Belfast mural unveiling cancelled
An artist has said he feels "humiliated" after the unveiling of his latest project in Belfast's Grand Central Station was postponed mural of a local celebrity, thought by sources to be the musician Van Morrison, remains covered at the station almost a month after its Hamilton was commissioned to create the portrait, tied to a high-profile product which operates the station, said it only facilitated the space and further questions should be directed to the artist and company which commissioned the News NI contacted the company representing the Productions, who it's believed also commissioned the painting, did not provide a response. The painting is still positioned at the station but is covered by a large pink question mark painted onto a black on his website, Mr Hamilton, who works under the alias Jossiepops said: "This is not only disappointing, it's humiliating."The BBC had been in contact with the artist with a plan to film the unveiling of the 5m x 2m portrait last month. Mr Hamilton had been teasing followers on social media about who he might be anticipation was evident from the more than 200,000 views he has had across his social media it soon became evident that things were not going to plan. The painting itself took two months of preparation, involved more than 15 tins of paint and was altered twice from its original was filmed; from the actual painting, to its framing and then installation in Belfast's Grand Central painting itself took six people to move comfortably due to its Hamilton said part of his brief was that the piece had to be movable and Translink agreed to facilitate then he was told that the unveiling, set for the early hours of 10 June, was not going ahead. He said he was unsure if it would ever be made public."The piece now hangs in public, covered, with my name attached, yet the project was suddenly pulled the night before launch, without credit or explanation," Johnny told BBC News NI. "I was paid, but what was promised went far beyond money. This was about creative contribution, visibility, and public trust."I want people to know this wasn't my doing. I stand by the work and hope it's eventually shown as intended."Mr Hamilton has been unable to disclose the identity of the celebrity behind the question mark due to a non-disclosure agreement.
