Mural unveiled for those living with HIV
A striking new mural celebrating people living with HIV has been unveiled along the southern bank of the Lee.
Commissioned by the Sexual Health Centre, the mural was created by artists Shane O’Driscoll and Peter Martin of Ardú, Cork’s contemporary street art project.
The mural, located on Drinan Street just off Sullivans Quay, uses two hands reaching towards each other entwined in a red ribbon to create a powerful visual statement of connection, solidarity, hope, and community.
The red ribbon, as an awareness ribbon, is used as the symbol for the solidarity of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Through its bold public presence, the mural aims to celebrate the lives and experiences of people living with HIV, while helping to challenge the stigma and outdated perceptions that can still surround the virus.
The Sexual Health Centre has a long history of supporting people living with HIV, having first begun providing services in 1987 as Cork AIDS Alliance, something it continues to do to this day. Since 1987, the centre has seen enormous changes in HIV treatment.
Chief Executive of the Sexual Health Centre, Fiona Finn, said the new mural represents a celebration of people living with HIV and of the strength, resilience, connection, and community that exists around them.
“We wanted to create something visible and positive in the heart of Cork city that reflects how far we have come,” she said.
“Today, people living with HIV on effective treatment have the same life expectancy as anyone else and cannot transmit the virus to their sexual partners.”
“Art has an incredible ability to start conversations and to change how we see the world around us. We hope this mural will be a joyful and visible celebration of people living with HIV,” she said.
The mural follows on from the release of the Sexual Health Centre’s short film ‘My Day Is The Same As Yours’.
“We are conscious that many of the representations of people living with HIV tend to be rooted in the past, when a HIV diagnosis was life limiting,” said Fiona.
“This is no longer the case and we are focussed on showing that these days people not only live with but thrive with HIV. People living with HIV are living full, ordinary, and extraordinary lives, and HIV does not define a person,” she said.
Artist, Shane O’Driscoll added: “Having held a workshop with the community in the Sexual Health Centre, we gained a deeper understanding of people living with HIV and what themes, imagery, and messaging to use within the creation of the artwork. It was very much a collaboration with those that provided insights and knowledge to me and Peter and we hope it’s positive message is felt throughout the city and beyond.”