Athleticizm by Goldie

Twelve of Britain’s leading Olympic hopefuls have been painted by urban art pioneer Goldie as part of a special collaboration with adidas to celebrate London 2012.

The athletes include such household names as Olympic cycling gold medallist Victoria Pendleton, 2009 World Champion triple-jumper Phillips Idowu MBE, 2010 FINA diving World Champion Tom Daley, European and 2009 World Heptathlon Champion Jessica Ennis MBE, three-time World Champion track cyclist Shanaze Reade, leading field athlete and nine-time National Champion Goldie Sayers, Commonwealth bronze medallist weightlifter Zoe Smith and high-jump hopeful Tom Parsons. The works will be unveiled at a special London exhibition in late October 2011.

Athleticizm brings street art together with the world of sport in a unique way for the first time and the energy and power of these sporting greats is perfectly complimented by the colour, vitality and edge of Goldie’s art. His skilfully composed street-art style marks a departure from the traditional portrayal of national sporting stars. The exhibition celebrates the new generation of athletic hopes and depicts the ‘rawness of their talent’ says Goldie, ‘in a light in which they are rarely seen.’

The project was conceived by Goldie and adidas. “adidas’ contribution to the sport world has been second to none” says Goldie. “The wonderful thing about the great sportsmen and women that adidas are involved with is simply they themselves – it’s them against their sport. What’s great is that I can put my spin on that and show all the dynamics of this idea in a range of paintings. These are twelve of the fantastic athletes who will be hugely inspirational to audiences in the UK and the world come the Olympics in London next year.”

Goldie will be joined by several of the featured athletes (subject to availability) at the launch of Athleticizm on Thursday 27th October 2011.