Stormzy in a Teacup: 'We absolutely knew that we were doing it wi

The art collective, Subset, installed a sweeping mural tribute to the music artist Stormzy on the side of a building in Dublin’s Haymarket this year. Dublin City Council has asked that it be removed, saying that no planning permission was sought. A representative from Subset joined Seán Rocks on Arena to talk about the project and the situation as it stands.

Subset’s representative said that the members of the collective prefer to remain anonymous in the press to keep attention on the work that they do.

“For us our vision, or what it is that we do, is more important than the people that do it and we don't want any one individual to be discussed because for us, the vision or the ideal is bigger than any one individual.”

The 80ft x 38ft mural was a considerable undertaking. Why choose Stormzy for the honour?

“We like him. We’re a fan of him. That’s it. Very straightforward.”

Subset’s representative elaborated that they identify with a certain ethos Stormzy and the grime scene represent.

“That represents a sort of similar culture to our own in that they’re pushing boundaries, they’re doing things that they were told wouldn't work. That people wouldn’t be receptive to. That wouldn't be successful. And they had to do it all of their own accord.”

On the issue of planning permission, the representative told Seán that they “absolutely knew” they were doing it without planning permission but claims they had the go-ahead from the building owner.

“We rent the space from the proprietor of the building, so we have their full permission… Everything that we do is first sent to the proprietor of the building for their approval.”

There are no lines drawn in the sand, though. Subset’s representative said they would be happy to talk to Dublin City Council in the hope of coming to a new way of managing projects like theirs.

“We’re trying to have a conversation, it’s not a ‘us versus them‘ type thing despite our approach to it. Our approach to it is just us protesting in the way that’s available to us.“

Listen back to the full discussion on Arena here.