This November, Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery presents portraits of the full England football squad and
manager of the EURO 2020 team by artist Matt Small, on public display together for the first time.
manager of the EURO 2020 team by artist Matt Small, on public display together for the first time.
From Harry Kane, Jack Grealish, Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford to EalingÂ’s star footballer Bukayo
Saka, This is England features the most successful national team since the World Cup winners of
1966, afterreaching the final of the recent tournament. The set of paintings depict a group of
players from a diverse set of backgrounds who not only made history with their sporting
achievement but who collectively inspired the country through their example of teamwork and
stance on equality, inclusivity and racial injustice.
Saka, This is England features the most successful national team since the World Cup winners of
1966, afterreaching the final of the recent tournament. The set of paintings depict a group of
players from a diverse set of backgrounds who not only made history with their sporting
achievement but who collectively inspired the country through their example of teamwork and
stance on equality, inclusivity and racial injustice.
Commissioned by the FA and exhibited at the St George training ground during EURO 2020 finals,
the artworks celebrate the diversity of what it means to be English today.
the artworks celebrate the diversity of what it means to be English today.
Clare Gough, Director of Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery said: “We are delighted that Matt Small’s
striking depictions of the Euro 2020 team will shine a light on the inspiration the England team gave
the nation this year, exemplifying teamwork and inclusivity, values embodied by Ealing born-andbred star Bukayo Saka.”
striking depictions of the Euro 2020 team will shine a light on the inspiration the England team gave
the nation this year, exemplifying teamwork and inclusivity, values embodied by Ealing born-andbred star Bukayo Saka.”
Artist Matt Small said: “Through their resolute and determined stance on various social issues and
matters of inclusion and compassion for all, this group of players have come to represent the modern
face of England, a multi-culturalland where people from all walks of life now call the country home.
matters of inclusion and compassion for all, this group of players have come to represent the modern
face of England, a multi-culturalland where people from all walks of life now call the country home.
“The England squad have demonstrated a desire to bring out the best in each of its members by
showing respect to the different attributes they all bring and then utilising them to the betterment of
the team. I hope that my paintings of the team can help continue to inspire the country to follow that
example too and become a society where everyone feels valued and they belong. When this is
achieved then this England will become a united place where we can all move forward united as
one.”
showing respect to the different attributes they all bring and then utilising them to the betterment of
the team. I hope that my paintings of the team can help continue to inspire the country to follow that
example too and become a society where everyone feels valued and they belong. When this is
achieved then this England will become a united place where we can all move forward united as
one.”
Matt SmallÂ’s work will also feature in PitzhangerÂ’s upcoming exhibition Race, Class and the City. He is
represented by JG Contemporary, Acton.
represented by JG Contemporary, Acton.
