Iconic Portraits On Display At The National Football Museum

The acclaimed This is England collection by artist, Matt Small, has gone on display at the National Football Museum.

Commissioned by the FA ahead of the EURO 2020 tournament, the 10 contemporary portraits feature a range of England heroes who have used their global influence both on and off the pitch, applying their status to champion equality, diversity, and inclusion with Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling and Marcus Rashford amongst the striking portraits.

Small's use of swirling colours represents the individuality of the subjects, with the use of geometric shapes and pattens reflecting the St. George's flag and reinforcing the central essence of Small's work; that England is everyone's England.

Small said:

"This England football team has become a symbol of progressive England, a country that is much more than just begrudgingly tolerant. It is one that embraces diversity and acceptance, inclusivity, open mindedness, and a willingness to see how we can all work together to make a better society for one another."

London-based Small attended the Royal College of Art before his debut solo exhibition at the Lefevre Gallery in Mayfair in 2002 and has gone to showcase 17 further exhibitions in the UK, Netherlands, and USA. In 2021 Small's The World at their Feet was installed at St. George's Park, the FA's national training facility.

This is England will be on display in the National Football Museum's Match Gallery for the remainder of the year. It forms part of the museum's Football Creates programme, which use the unrivalled power of football to engage people and communities in creativity, championing inclusion and improving wellbeing.

Tim Desmond, CEO of the National Football Museum said:

"This Is England perfectly encapsulates how football and creativity can be used as an impactful vehicle for change. Small's work is effortlessly accessible yet compelling, and this is key to reaching new audiences and groups who may not usually engage in art and culture. Using the power of football, we can break down those barriers and create a welcoming and valuable experience for all our communities."