Belfast, a city famed for its murals, is lending its street artists to a city in Thailand as part of a new festival this weekend.
The Hit the North Street Art Festival, the largest graffiti festival on the island of Ireland, is launching a sister event in Chiang Mai.
It will see artists swap Northern Ireland for northern Thailand where they will create large-scale murals exploring themes of climate change, cultural connection and urban identity.
The festival which will consist of workshops, live painting and music is running until Sunday.
At the heart of the collaboration are Belfast-based artists Zippy, Eoin McGinn – who is known as Emic – and Rob Hilken.
Before arriving in Chiang Mai, the artists spent several days painting in Bangkok.
Zippy, the co-organiser and artist liaison for the Hit the North festivals painted a swan mural in the Thai capital.
It was inspired by the Hongsa Swan, a symbol of peace and purity in Thai folklore.
“It felt like the right first mural to paint here – something that ties into Thai culture but also speaks to ideas of peace and unity, which feel really important right now,” she said.
For her mural in Chiang Mai, Zippy has chosen to feature the centipede, another creature rich in Thai folklore.
“In northern Thailand, the centipede symbolises strength, unity and protection – and it’s said to bring fortune if it walks through your door,” she said.
“That really connects with my own themes of unity and resilience.”
The mural will feature centipedes, native Thai flowers and human hands.
Chiang Mai, the second largest city in Thailand, is located in a mountainous region called the Thai highlands and is known for its stunning scenery, historic temples and bustling night markets.
Alongside Zippy, Emic and Rob Hilken will also be creating murals in Chiang Mai.
Emic’s mural will explore themes of identity and resilience in collaboration with local artists, while Rob’s piece continues his Spaghetti series – playful, looping abstractions inspired by ideas of movement and connection.
Hit the North founder Adam Turkington will also take part in the festival, leading a talk on Northern Ireland’s street art movement and the power of festivals to build creative communities.
Since its launch in 2013, the Belfast-born festival has seen the commissioning of more than 750 murals, transforming the city into an internationally recognised hub for urban creativity.
PacemakerZippy said she and the other artists have been able to reconnect with the Thai artists who joined them in Belfast in May.
“Sanchi, who painted a beautiful piece at Hit the North earlier this year, has played such a key role in helping to organise things here in Chiang Mai,” she said.
“He’s really brought people together and made the whole exchange possible.”
Hit the NorthThe collaboration event is a pilot being supported by the British Council’s Connections Through Culture grants.
Colette Norwood, Head of Arts at British Council Northern Ireland, said it shows how “creativity can cross borders”.
“This new partnership in Chiang Mai builds on our previous work with the Seedhead Arts team, including supporting their participation in street art festivals in Colombia,” she said.
“Belfast has a vibrant community of established and emerging artists, and it’s fantastic to see that creative energy reaching new audiences overseas.”
Hit the NorthZippy said it has been “beautiful” to see how the street art scene in Belfast has evolved over time.
“For years, people came to see the old political murals, but over the last 10 or 12 years, with the growth of Hit the North, that narrative has really shifted,” she said.
“Now, Belfast has so many incredible artists, and the city’s mural tradition has evolved into something new – it’s become more diverse, expressive, and connected.”
She added she hopes the festival will help raise the profile of local street art and inspire long-term momentum in Chiang Mai.
“What I love about street art is that it’s accessible – it belongs to everyone,” she said.
“When we started out, people didn’t see street art as a big thing – but now, it’s part of Belfast’s identity. It’s amazing to think we might help spark something similar here in Chiang Mai.”
