Behind Walls: Cross-Community Art-Science Fusion to Increase Cancer Awareness
Year Awarded
2025
Amount
€145,065.9
- Organisation:University College Dublin (UCD)
Project Summary
Behind Walls is a cross-community, co-creation initiative that unites art, science, and public engagement to address cancer awareness. Street artist ACHES and graphic designer Cian Ryan will collaborate with local youth, patient advocates, and cancer researchers, embedding lived experiences and scientific insights to create two large scale street art murals. The murals will be located in the southeastern quarter of Waterford City and the City Walls Ward of Derry~Londonderry.
Once complete, Cian Ryan will merge the key messages of both murals into a single digital mural, offering interactive augmented reality experiences that extend the project’s reach beyond geographical boundaries. This digital artwork will be exhibited at major events, including the EU Cancer Mission Fair in Dublin during Ireland’s EU Presidency and the Altogether Now Festival in Waterford.
Following the co-creation phase, the project will move into a knowledge exchange phase. This includes an educational workshop at a local GAA club in Derry~Londderry that focuses on the importance of physical activity on your overall health, followed by a six-week science education programme at Mount Sion CBS (MS CBS), a DEIS school in Waterford with a diverse student body. The goal is to empower young people with the knowledge and confidence to discuss cancer, helping them become change agents within their communities.
The entire process will be documented by young Belfast filmmaker Éanna McCana, whose lived experience with cancer adds depth and authenticity. His short documentary will ensure the impact, emotion, and learning from Behind Walls lives on.