Olaolu Slawn has teamed up with NigelVMU and Fanatics UK for a bold art activation in the heart of London. Dubbed Football x Football, the project saw two 35-foot inflatable sculptures unveiled in Leicester Square, each giving a representation of the sporting cultures that unite both sides of the ocean. One sculpture, made by Slawn, nods to UK football fandom with his iconic clown-like motifs and style with multiple references to the community sport. The other statue pays homage to American Football while wearing classic American Football attire like pads, headgear and an antropomorphic ball.
Designed to capture the gaze and spark a conversation amongst residents and passers-by, the Football x Football sculptures illustrate how public art can serve as a way to fusion sports, fashion, identity and place. It transforms one of the busiest places in London in an open-air art gallery, making art and sports accessible to the masses. NigelVMU worked alongside Slawn, Fanatics and the NFL to create an unforgettable moment for the city.
Slawn & NigelVMU: Two Creative Languages, One Shared Vision
Olaolu Slawn, the 24 year old British-Nigerian artist is known for his work that thrives on bold graphics, caricatures, vibrant colours and his way of interpreting humour in his work. He brings a certain energy and happiness to everything he touches, from murals to canvases to statues. On the other hand is NigelVMU (Visual Media Unit), a London-based multidisciplinary duo existing of Nigel VMU and Leke Lex Anthony bringing the sculptures to life with their own design language. Their combined work created a visual conversation full of storytelling. Slawn and NigelVMU have worked on many occasions, including the activations for the FA cup back in May this year and on the activation for the Slawn Air Max 90, where NigelVMU helped create a lifesize sculpture wearing a pair of Nike Air Max 90
The NFL influence: Sport as a Canvas
The collaboration with the NFL and Fanatics marks a significant moment for everyone involved. This is the first time an American sports giant teamed up with two British-based crestives. This highlights the significance of both Slawn and NigelVMU. Collaborations are no longer about simple co-branding or logo-swaps, collaborations are all about telling a story that’s relevant and memorable. Football x Football is a special project. For those based in the UK (or most of Europe for that matter) football is about the grassroots, community and expressing love for their favourite club. For the NFL, and Americans football is about something totally different. Spectacle, strategy and grandeur. The collaboration between Slawn, NigelVMU, the NFL and Fanatics combines it all.
From Inflatable Art to Wearable Garments
While the Leicester Square installation was a key moment, the collaboration extended into something much more. Fans of the NFL had the chance to visit the exclusive Starter NFL pop-up at The Lobby on Manette street to cop items from a limited capsule collection. The collaboration with two of the hottest visual artists in the UK, shows that sport is more just competition it is about connecting and communicating with their loyal fans around the globe.
Slawn is a visionary. He has proven himself every single tome and continues to show his own style and interpretation in everything he touches. Slawn (and NigelVMU) are part of the new generation creatives that reject modernity and rules. Their work is just as likely to appear on the street as it is likely to appear in a Mayfair gallery.
