Diverse, United, Proud, This is England
Role:
Illustration
Client:
Goal
Year:
2021
Objective:
In celebration of England's journey to the Euro 2020 final, Goal sought to highlight the diversity within the English national team. The objective was to create portrait illustrations that showcased the players' heritage from outside the UK, promoting inclusivity and unity in the face of racial abuse.
What I've Done:
I created a series of visually appealing illustrations of portraits featuring England players from diverse backgrounds. My portraits take center stage with the prominent inclusion of extraordinary talents like Raheem Sterling, drawing from his Jamaican heritage, Marcus Rashford with roots in St. Kitts and Nevis, Bukayo Saka, representing his Nigerian ancestry, and Jadon Sancho, whose roots trace back to Trinidad and Tobago. These illustrations served as a celebration of immigration in the country and as a powerful response to racial abuse.
Creative Process:
1. My creative process involved using specific colors representing each player's heritage.
2. The backgrounds incorporated their respective root flags, forming the foundation of the artwork.
3. The color palette for the illustrations was inspired by the flag colors, symbolizing the fusion between England and their heritage countries.
4. A framed pattern added depth and visual interest to the illustrations.
5. The inclusion of the three lions of the England national team in the corners reinforced a sense of unity and national identity.
Results:
The illustrations gained significant traction and became particularly important and viral following the racial abuse suffered by Saka, Rashford, and Sancho after the Euro 2020 final. Many prominent organizations and individuals, including FootballCo, LinkUp TV, and London Screen Academy, shared the artwork as a powerful statement of solidarity and support. The illustrations played a vital role in amplifying the conversation around racism in football and garnered widespread recognition for their message of unity and diversity.
Conclusion:
The "Diverse, United, Proud. This is England." project exemplifies the transformative power of art in advocating for inclusivity, unity, and the rejection of racism. By highlighting the diverse backgrounds of England players through powerful illustrations, the project made a resounding statement about the strength of multiculturalism and the importance of embracing diversity.
These illustrations served as a symbol of support for Saka, Rashford, and Sancho and provided a platform for a wider conversation about racism in football. The project's impact extended far beyond the sport, inspiring individuals and organizations to stand against racism and promote inclusivity in all aspects of society.
