So, you wanted a David vs Goliath story — “Local artist takes on global superstar.”

Well, I’m not sure I can give you that, but I can definitely give you an interesting read:

You legends followed the whole journey on my socials, got hooked on the story… but the ending never came. Like me, you’re probably full of questions, and thanks to an NDA, I can’t answer the biggest one 🤦🏻

Hopefully, the press release below will shed some light on the drama behind what I still think is one of my best ever “signed off” pieces, still hanging, still covered, and still wrapped up one month on from install 😂 (You couldn’t write it!)

Press Release:

“Jossiepops, known for his large-scale portraits across Northern Ireland, has spoken out after a major mural collaboration was unexpectedly pulled the night before launch. Commissioned to create a portrait tied to a high-profile product release, the work was installed, filmed, and teased publicly — but now hangs covered in Belfast’s Grand Central Station, with no credit or explanation. ‘My name is on it. A giant question mark is beside it. And the public is left in the dark,’ says Jossiepops. ‘I was paid — but what was promised went far beyond that. I stand by the work and hope it sees daylight.’”

Statement:

I was approached to collaborate on what was positioned as a major, high-profile project tied to a product launch — a public artwork display, a key project video, and a coordinated social media rollout involving multiple parties.

I delivered a large-scale portrait that was professionally installed in Belfast’s busiest new station, worked with a videographer to film the process, and built public anticipation with collectively over 200,000 views across social platforms. The piece now hangs in public, covered, with my name attached, yet the project was suddenly pulled the night before launch, without credit, explanation, or any of the outcomes that were promised.

I was paid, but this isn’t about money. It’s about creative integrity. To be asked to generate hype, deliver high-level work, and then be erased from the story, while my name sits on a covered artwork with a giant question mark beside it. This is not only disappointing, it’s humiliating.

I’ve worked with local heroes, global stars, and the Belfast community for years and I stand by everything I create. This situation was not of my making. I remain hopeful that the work will one day be seen, as it was intended — not hidden behind a curtain of silence.

~ Jossiepops

Read the BBC Article 

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