Painting from the Same Palette

Mark Ervine was born and raised in East Belfast, Northern Ireland.  He has been painting murals in Belfast and elsewhere for almost 30 years.  His art work has shown in galleries in the United Kingdom and New York City.  He frequently paints with youth, engaging them on topics of importance on social issues the experience in their lives such as drug and alcohol abuse, joy riding, racism, social deprivation, and poverty.

He has produced works for private commissions, for gallery shows of his work as well as for shows in tandem with other artists.  He has also produced murals for community events and organizations as well as commercial businesses.

Ervine recently began designing and painting murals with Republican ex-prisoner
and muralist, Danny Devenny.  Their work has garnered significant international
media attention.  In March 2009 the Jigsaw Mural project on which they worked
won the Silver Award at the Belfast City Council’s Youth in the Community Award.

He is the son of David Ervine, former Progressive Unionist Party leader and Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) member and ex-prisoner.  Today, Ervine continues to paint for his community as well as across communities, and painted the set backdrop to the film, 50 Dead Men Walking.