Dublin Street Artist Emmalene Blake Marks World Down Syndrome Day With Latest Mural

Today marks World Down Syndrome Day and the renowned Dublin street artist, Emmalene Blake, has chosen the topic for her latest mural. The topic is close to her heart and the new mural in Harold's Cross is a portrait of her cousin Vicki.

Dubliners will be familiar with Emmalene’s work as she has already painted murals of high-profile figures such as boxer Kellie Harrington, climate activist Greta Thunberg and American rapper Cardi B in the past. The latest piece of her cousin Vicki is an impressive large grayscale.

Speaking about the piece, Emmalene said “I wanted to paint this piece to celebrate Vicki and all people with Down Syndrome. I think people with disabilities are massively underrepresented in the art world.

"I know I’m painting this piece for World Down Syndrome Day, but I don’t think that it should only be on days like this that people with disabilities do get representation."

The mural in Harold’s Cross also got the seal of approval from Vicki herself who said “I love it, I look like a model. It’s important for people with Down Syndrome and I can’t wait for my friends to see it."

First observed by the United Nations in 2012, World Down Syndrome Day is a global awareness day. The children of the new Down Syndrome Centre in Swords and their families marked the occasion with an inspirational and heart-warming video of them singing and signing Better Place by Rachel Platten.

Siobhan McHugh's son Toby was one of the children which took part in a music video, and she said “the Down Syndrome Centre has made such a difference to our life. We have been attending the Down Syndrome Centres since Toby was just a few weeks old and the centres are full of so much love and support.”