'Digging where I stand': Researching murals in the North of Ireland. An interview with Bill Rolston.

The article focuses on Professor Bill Rolston's extensive documentation and analysis of political murals in Northern Ireland, particularly in Belfast, tracing their evolution since the 1980s. Rolston distinguishes between two main mural traditions: the older Unionist/Loyalist murals, often controlled by paramilitary groups and narrowly themed around militarism and historical battles, and the Republican murals, which emerged prominently during the 1981 hunger strikes and encompass a broader range of historical, political, and international themes. He highlights differences in artistic freedom, community involvement, and iconographic scope between the two traditions, noting challenges posed by the peace process and questions about the murals' future sustainability. The article also situates Northern Irish murals within a global context, emphasizing their unique local character and the complex relationship between muralism, politics, and community identity.