Arsenal have unveiled eight new bold and ‘unique’ pieces of artwork that will stretch around the Emirates Stadium, celebrating the club’s heritage, success and connection with the red half of north London.
The club have worked with legends, their families, esteemed artists – including Turner Prize-winning Jeremy Deller – and a cross-section of more than 100 supporters over the past nine months to design and bring to life the art that they hope will ‘transform the north London skyline and redefine the club’s home as a cultural landmark.’
Arsene Wenger, Jack Wilshere, Sportsmail’s Martin Keown, Ian Wright, Alex Scott, Tony Adams, Faye White, Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Kelly Smith are among the dozens of Arsenal icons who will feature around the stadium, replacing the former artwork – which pictured 36 legends of the men’s team with their backs to supporters.
Arsenal have unveiled eight new pieces of artwork that will be installed at The Emirates
Eighteen Eighty-Six – ‘symoblises Arsenal’s constant pursuit of progress’ from the club’s founding in Woolwich
Come To See The Arsenal – will be visible from southbound trains arriving into London
Remember Who You Are – brings to life memories and history from Arsenal’s former home, Highbury.
No current players are involved but more than 700 supporters, who have followed Arsenal over the years, make up one the striking pieces, all of which have a different theme.
They immortalise figures who ‘embody the spirit of the club’, historic achievements such as the men’s Invincibles season and women’s Champions League victory, the club’s community roots, their former home Highbury, and their proud history of nurturing stars of the future.
Arsenal captain Martin Odegaard was at the unveiling of the artwork on Wednesday
Arsenal legendary striker Ian Wright (right) was also pictured in attendance at the event
Invincible – pays tribute to two of Arsenal’s greatest seasons: the women’s Champions League victory in 2006/07 and the men’s Invincible season of 2003/04.
Future Brilliance – ‘reflects Arsenal’s commitment to providing opportunities for young players to develop’
Deller, artist Reuben Dangoor, and graphic designer David Rudnick, led the design process, with inspiration drawn from supporter workshops and even French revolutionary paintings.
Installation around the Emirates will begin on Thursday and continue over the next few weeks of a special year for Arsenal – 20 years on from Wenger’s Invincibles.
‘We started with a blank canvas with the hope of capturing and expressing our rich history, our values of community and progress and reflect what Arsenal stands for in 2023 and beyond,’ said Arsenal CEO, Vinai Venkatesham.
We All Follow The Arsenal – is a tapestry of 187 flags and banners belonging to supporter groups from around the world
Victoria Concordia Crescit – features players who embody the spirit of Arsenal, in the style of French revolutionary paintings
The artwork has been unveiled as Arsenal mark 20 years since their ‘Invincibles’ season
Wilshere, an academy graduate who now coaches the club’s Under-18s and features in Future Brilliance, added: ‘To be part of the artwork is really humbling and a big honour for me personally, but it also shows our commitment to developing young players and is a signal to them about seizing opportunities here.
‘That’s a really important message for our young players but also for young people in our community.’
ARSENAL’S ARTISTIC CREATIONS
Victoria Concordia Crescit – features players who embody the spirit of Arsenal, in the style of French revolutionary paintings, alongside the club’s famous cannons and Arsenal’s motto: Victoria Concordia Crescit – Victory Through Harmony.
Remember Who You Are – brings to life memories and history from Arsenal’s former home, Highbury. Some of the club’s greatest players and managers are pictured in an evocative representation of the stadium’s East Stand.
Invincible – pays tribute to two of Arsenal’s greatest seasons: the women’s Champions League victory in 2006/07 – part of a quadruple that also included the title and both domestic cups – and the men’s Invincible season of 2003/04.
Come To See The Arsenal – will be visible from southbound trains arriving into London and hopes to ‘evoke Arsenal’s north London pride’
Eighteen Eighty-Six – ‘symoblises Arsenal’s constant pursuit of progress’ from the club’s founding in Woolwich through to the move north and beyond.
We All Follow The Arsenal – is a tapestry of 187 flags and banners belonging to supporter groups from around the world, including Lebanon, Ukraine and Morocco.
Future Brilliance – ‘reflects Arsenal’s commitment to providing opportunities for young players to develop’ and shows kids running towards Islington landmarks and re-emerging as legends.
Found a Place Where We Belong – is designed to illustrate ‘the importance of the Arsenal family’, with 721 supporters – who have given so much to the club and the community – patched together in one crowd.
source: dailymail.co.uk
