William Frode de la Foret: 'The street is the most democratic canvas for art'

Born in Paris, but based in Cork for many years, Frode de la Foret has long campaigned for better appreciation of street art 

William Frode de la Foret of Cork Community Art Link is one of the contributors to the Streets Ahead development programme.  Picture: Jim Coughlan

The name William Frode de la Foret may not be familiar to you. But if you live in Cork, his tall, narrow-framed figure probably is. You might have seen him at the annual Halloween Dragon of Shandon parade, top-hatted, stalking the crowd in his role as master of ceremonies, a Tim Burton illustration come to life.

Or in the background at any one of a vast number of street art events in the second city, where he is often found striding restlessly to and fro between participants, intent on last-minute logistics.