‘Some people believe football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it’s much more serious than that.’ Bill Shankly, former Liverpool FC manager.
Curated by artists Ewan Johnston and Dion Kitson in partnership with Wolverhampton Art Gallery, This is our love and it knows no division runs from 19 July to 10 September and features contemporary works made in response to ‘the beautiful game’. The exhibition explores current topical themes such as football culture and its relationship to politics. The title refers to the phrase that appears on an 80-metre banner stretching across the Stan Cullis stand at Molineux Stadium, home of Wolverhampton Wanderers, and is taken from a poem of the same name, written by Wolves supporter Steven Power celebrating his admiration for the team.
This is our love and it knows no division presents works by 15 contemporary British artists, including established artists Gavin Turk, The Singh Twins, Patrick Hughes, Corbin Shaw and documentary photographer Martin Parr, alongside artists based in or with origins in the West Midlands: Hannah Al Shemmeri, Ruth Batham, Molly Cleaver, former Wolverhampton Wanderers captain Jody Craddock, photographer Jaskirt Dhaliwal-Boora, anonymous artist and self-described prankster Fokawolf, Ewan Johnston (aka Bag Lord), Dion Kitson and BAFTA winning comedian and activist Joe Lycett.
The exhibition will also feature the legendary ‘kicking block’ from the Wolves Museum collection and artwork from Wolverhampton Art Gallery’s own acclaimed collection.
It is accompanied by an exhibition guide in the format of a match programme. Exhibiting artist prints and original football-inspired scarfs designed by Dion Kitson will be available to purchase in the gallery shop.
City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for Visitor City, Councillor Bhupinder Gakhal, said: “This is a fantastic look at football across the region and how fans react to the game.
“Visitors will be able to experience football from all angles not just from the game perspective but the culture and celebratory art that comes with it.”
This is our love and it knows no division will be accompanied by an exciting artist and community-led public programme, with a design your own football scarf painting workshop with artist and arts educator Madeleine Staples (aka Mad about Art) and footballer paper mache head workshops led by Birmingham artist Tat Vision (creator of the sculpture Four Lads in Jeans which was displayed outside Birmingham New Street station).
Wolverhampton Art Gallery is free to visit Monday to Saturday (10.30am to 4.30pm) and Sundays (11am to 4pm). Glaze eatery is open Monday to Saturday (10.30am to 4pm) and Sundays (11am to 3.30pm). For more information visit Wolverhampton City Archives.
