This is England

Uplifting exhibition at the Guildhall Art Gallery of portraits of the England football team by Matt Small.

The work was commissioned by the Football Association and was originally shown at the St George’s Park training ground and consists of 27 portraits of the team and the manager. They were painted on a patchwork of white hardboard with the heads stuck on afterwards. They were good likenesses but most movingly the same colour palate was used for all the faces despite the colour of their skin. They were good individually but also looked impressive hung as a series.

The commentary says the show represents how the team came to stand for mutual support, inclusivity and diversity and to celebrate the diversity of England today. 

Closes 19 February 2023


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