Football in Art

Considered one of the most popular sports in the world, no event has such an extraordinary global reach as the FIFA World Cup. Taking place in a different host country every four years, the international event includes the participation of 32 national football teams, fans from around the world, and international event management and volunteer workforce. The event is an excellent platform to enhance cross-cultural understanding while investigating broader narratives past the surface level of the sport itself.

From honorary sculptures that celebrate athletic courage to Realist portraits that humanize individual team members to Abstract prints that display the beauty of the male body in motion, football has been represented within the art world in many different forms. Art and sports aren't always closely associated – one is more niche, the other intended for the masses. Yet, when these cultural opposites come together, they showcase different interpretations of the beautiful sport and all it can offer.

As we celebrate World Cup Qatar 2022, we must recognize those who explore football in art through many different mediums. Illustrating surreal visions of everyday life, Angelo Accardi truly captures the emotions of the game within his paintings. An artist in constant search for new sensations, Accardi often depicts figures against differing social backgrounds, highlighting his unique perspective and avant-garde style.

"Qatar World Cup 22" is an extraordinary mixed-media painting displaying Brazilian soccer player Neymar Jr. and Qatari soccer player Hasan Al-Haydos. Both players are pictured on a soccer field with a playful and profoundly relevant twist. Ostriches roam freely, while a vibrant color palette paints the Qatar sky, making the artwork a recognizable Accardi original. "The World Is a Ball" is yet another mixed-media painting by Accardi that revolves around the importance of the World Cup. Incorporating Accardi's signature Ostriches alongside professional World Cup athletes, the artist depicts a unique collision of images of objects.

Graffiti artist Alec Monopoly is well-known for challenging himself in his graffiti style by constantly taking his artwork one step further. Celebrating in the only way he knows how, the artist hand-painted the notorious Richie Rich character with his signature ‘money bags’ on an official FIFA football.

Just as football is represented in art, there is art within football, filled with beauty, complexity, and nuance. To see more artworks by Angelo Accardi and Alec Monopoly, explore the Eden Gallery website or visit a gallery near you.