Gugelethu Strike
Gugelethu Strike
The 2010 FIFA World Cup has come to South Africa and Bermondsey artist Ed Gray has created an official painting inspired by the World Cup. ‘Mind Out Of Time’ is the latest exhibition at the GX Gallery which depicts Gray’s recent journey around the world.
Ed Gray is hailed as one of the most exhilarant artists to emerge from England in recent years. He is influenced by artists such as Hogarth, Brouwer and Picasso, and is inspired by the energy and drive of the people he observes. Dulwich Picture Gallery has also been a place of inspiration to Ed. He described it as ‘a fantastic gallery in South London’ Ed had run painting classes at the Gallery a few years ago. He found many of the permanent collection inspirational, in particular Brouwer’s painting ‘Interior of a Tavern’ (DPG108) which influenced his depiction of a beer festival ‘The Pigs Ear‘, in a British pub.
Ed Gray shows the influence of William Hogarth
I was introduced to Ed Gray’s work and the exhibition by Ingrid (my supervisor and Co-Editor), it fascinated me that Ed was an artist who was representing England in the official International Fine Art Collection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Firstly I read more about Ed Gray and his art work online and I found that he visited various cities around the world such as Cape Town and Tokyo for inspiration. ‘Mind Out Of Time’ is an exhibition which presents the diverse art works created by Ed as a result of his travels – this exhibition was well worth a visit!
On Saturday 19 June 2010 Ingrid and I went along to the GX Gallery where Ed Gray gave a personal tour of his ‘Mind Out Of Time’ exhibition. The first thing I noticed when I entered the gallery were the vibrant paintings on the wall, each telling their own story. A documentary film ‘One Year’ directed by Michael Holland, was playing. The documentary depicts the life of Ed Gray and his paintings in the last 12 months.
The personal tour began with Ed Gray explaining the reason behind his visit to South Africa ‘Artists from qualifying World Cup countries were asked to create works inspired by the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. I was the only artist from England who went out to South Africa to create an official painting but equally and importantly I wanted to go out there and create paintings of my time at Cape Town and of real people’. (Ed Gray)
Cape Town Railway Station
The painting Gray created for FIFA was Gugulethu Strike, it reflects the enthusiasm and positivity of the World Cup in South Africa – you can see the painting at the 2010 Fine Art website. Gray described his experience of South Africa positively ‘I wanted to capture the positive energy, as well as the hope and belief of new South Africa. When I visited South Africa, I found a country preparing for the World Cup; football means a lot to the people there’.
My favorite painting at the exhibition was Gray’s painting of South Africa’s Cape Town Railway Station, it represented the everyday lives of ordinary people against the backdrop of the World Cup. Ed’s experience of creating the Cape Town Railway Station was a challenge, since he drew the old station as it was being refurbished to make way for the impressive new station – which will transports fans and act as a legacy to the World Cup. Over two days Ed drew hundreds of Capetonians going to work, returning to township, greeting friends and family, or simply waiting for a train. ‘This country has witnessed so much transformation and as I look at the faces of these people I try to imagine what the future holds for them and which direction South Africa will take’. (Ed Gray)
Ed Gray discussing his painting of Bangkok
When Ed Gray returned home to London from his travels, he came home to view the city with different eyes. Ed then painted and sketched an image of a snowy Primrose Hill; he captured people enjoying the snow and portrayed the view of London wonderfully. His other paintings of Tokyo and Bangkok were also as fascinating – humanity is openly celebrated in all of these paintings.
What I found most intriguing about Gray’s paintings was the essence of reality which he captured superbly, the paintings showed the lives of ordinary people in major cities.
Mind Out Of Time is all about what Ed Gray has seen and experienced over the past 12 months and you can experience this wonderful journey by visiting the exhibition at the GX Gallery which closes on 8 July 2010.
Ed Gray’s work can be seen online at www.edgrayart.com and www.gxgallery.com
3 Comments
I must say I love the way Ed has captured emotions in ‘Gugelethu Strike’. The name also intrigued me and after a swift ‘google’ I satisfied my curiousity. For anyone wondering out there, Gugelethu is a small Township 15km from Cape Town.
It’s nice to see an artist who succeeds at painting sport and is able to truelly capture the spirit of the World Cup less the sponsorship and commercialism which inevitably surrounds such events.
Abu, many thanks for you interest in the Gugulethu Strike painting. I felt it was important to depict the local league players in the townships of Cape Town. The majority of football fans come from the townships and there are some 2 million people living in Gugulethu. Some live in extreme poverty but some have built concrete houses and even a shopping mall. The painting also makes reference to striking workers and the difficulties involved in staging a world class event in a country so new and with such social divisions. Ultimately I wanted to celebrate the warm and passionate people that I met and sketched there, and to capture their love for the beautiful game.
Hey Ed, thanks for your reply. Wow!I didn’t realise a small township in Africa equated to 2 million people, thats fantastic. You’ve certainly captured their love for the game!
Well Done!
It would be interesting to hear how you coped emotionally with seeing the poverty that exists in the townships you mention. I know having seen such poverty up close myself you are led to reflect upon how fortunate you are.