VIDEO: Public art project at Singer's Corner now covered by a giant poster

A public art project is being covered by a giant advertisement - and the people of Cork aren’t very happy about it.

Last year, Johnny Bugler and a crew from Cork Printmakers transformed Singer’s Corner in Cork with a black and gold design, a nod to the floral pattern found on old Singer sewing machines.

Singer’s have occupied the building on the corner of Grand Parade and Washington St since 1875.

Mr Bugler won the commission to wrap the building in the striking pattern as part of a city council-commissioned pilot public art project.

Each individual building project got a budget of around €10,000, drawn from the Department of Environment, Community, and Local Government’s Public Area Enhancement Scheme fund.

The city officials driving the scheme said they hoped it would bring a bit of life and colour into the city, and “start a conversation” about the future of vacant space in the city centre.

In the last few days, however, a poster advertising Eircom’s rebranding to Eir has been in place on the building, covering the artwork.

Locals have expressed their disappointment on social media.

Here, Johnny Bugler explains the original project to the Irish Examiner 

Video: Denis Minihane

This timelapse video shows the work that went into redesigning the landmark building.