Stephen Shaw Gallery

I’ve often wondered where this small, unassuming gallery was, and after nipping in to Good Vibrations I soon found out (it’s up the stairs above the record shop).
Stephen Shaw paints in watercolour and what really intrigued me about his work was his subject choice, where most people would think of water colours as being restricted to landscapes etc. Stephen has branched out in to painting local scenes (e.g. North Street arcade, Shankhill Graveyard, Ardoyne Shops) and it works brilliantly! It’s lovely to see local scenes painted in such a wonderful way. The gallery is a tiny little place but what’s more important is what is on the walls and that more than makes up for how small the viewing space is. When I visited a few days ago I noticed a small plant in the corner of the room. I discovered the seed form this beautiful plant was found in the ruins of North Street Arcade (after it was burnt out — reportedly in an arson attack) and this plant has grown from the embers of the fire in to the regenerating and beautiful process of life. I love this quirky gallery and will definitely be back to see the ever changing display grow and nourish.