The Tullamore D.E.W. Art of Banner Banter exhibition

TULLAMORE D.E.W. LAUNCHES SEARCH FOR THE UK’S MOST WITTILY DEFIANT SPORTS FAN WITH FIRST-EVER EXHIBITION OF BANNER BANTER

The Art of Banner Banter exhibition to inspire a new wave of bold and creative supporter slogans at sports events across the UK
A touring exhibition showcasing thought-provoking and humorous banners displayed by sports supporters across the world will be visiting major city centres throughout the UK in March and April. The Tullamore D.E.W. Art of Banner Banter exhibition, which is displayed on board a dramatically transformed bus that also houses a bespoke bar, honours the match within the match; the sport of creative combat that takes place in the stands as supporters do battle in a witty war of words.

Inspired by the spirit ofdefiance, intelligence and good humour that is at the heart of the Irish character, the exhibition aims to inspire a new wave of banner writers and displays at future sporting events, as Tullamore D.E.W. searches for the UK’s most wittily defiant sports fan.

Tullamore D.E.W. is offering a prize of £5,000 for the best new banner to be photographed at a sporting event. To win the prize, entrants will share photographs of their banners on Twitter using the hashtag #bannerbanter.

An analysis of banner writing by Loughborough University’s Dr Jamie Cleland highlights the sociological reasons why fans engage in this form of behaviour. The leading sports sociologist said: “The act of creating the banners is naturally a very social occasion and getting together with a group of friends to create witty banners for display at sporting events allows supporters to express a mischievous edge to their character and have a shared experience that bonds them with others in their social group.”

For the exhibition, photographic archives from across the world have been scoured to unearth the most memorable examples of banners displaying humorous and evocative messages – such as the unforgettable ‘Angela Merkel Thinks We’re At Work’ banner displayed by Republic of Ireland fans at Euro 2012.

As well as celebrating Irish true spirit, the banners on display all share the inventiveness shown by Daniel E Williams, the man behind Tullamore D.E.W., whose initials adorn every bottle.