Mcdonald’s is being slammed online for painting over an iconic mural, “My city, my shirt” with a burger advertisement.
The original mural was a portrait of a pregnant wearing a Cardiff City Shirt and was painted by Unify Creative – a black-led creative practice and according to the BBC, the artwork was created to promote inclusivity and diversity.
When the mural was first created one of the projected organisers, Saqui Hasson told BBC, the mural aimed to, “bridge the gap between the local club and BAME communities.”
And then Mcdonalds painted over it with a burger advertisement – which people weren’t happy about.
Local MP, Stephen Doughty tweeted about the repaint immediately, he wrote, “What on earth are you thinking McDonaldsUk? Please contact me ASAP.”
McDonald’s immediately replied and wrote, “Hi Stephen – the site was hired by a third party working with the artist who painted the original mural.
“We were unaware of what was on the site prior to our installation and have instructed the artist to repaint his original mural immediately.”
What on earth are you thinking @McDonaldsUK ?? Please contact me asap. #Butetown #TigerBay #Cardiff https://t.co/eghNeyrOrC
— Stephen Doughty (@SDoughtyMP) January 22, 2022
However, Yusuf Ismail and the art project organiser told BBC, “The agency were given all the information about the sensitive site, not just the fact that it’s got an incredible piece of artwork on it, but that it was vandalised, probably racially motivated.
“So they had all that information, this is something that they clearly knew about, and they still went ahead with it. The artist had nothing to do with it.”
Twitter also has weighed in.
Well, the worst thing you can imagine is happening right now to the best mural in Cardiff. Covered up for a burger ad. Please contact us @McDonalds so we can salvage some good for the amazing young people of our city. pic.twitter.com/yBGjRcfzOp
— Cathy Owens (@cathy_owens) January 22, 2022
The sheer cultural vandalism of this. The mural is being replaced with a painting of two burger buns for a McDonalds ad. pic.twitter.com/gJkOpKqj4l
— Rebecca Wilks (@WilksBecca) January 22, 2022
Where was the due diligence? Cymru is a progressive country, our murals and art are important to maintain our inclusivity and identity.
— Mel Jôs – Môn Mam Cymru (@jos_cymru) January 22, 2022
Currently, the mural has now been repainted white and assumedly the original mural will be back on the wall.
