Chelsea Employs 120th Birthday Exhibition to Honor Blue Creator Fund
Rewritten Article:
Say hello to a fresh wave of talent taking the art world by storm, as the Saatchi Gallery in London unveils a brand-new exhibition in honor of Chelsea Football Club's 120th birthday. Titled "This Game is What We Make It," the event showcases the works of five promising creatives, handpicked from a diverse pool of 800 applicants.
This groundbreaking exhibition marks the culmination of the Blue Creator Fund collaboration between Chelsea Football Club Foundation and media platform Versus, aimed at fostering creativity from underrepresented backgrounds. The lucky winners received a grand prize of $26,000 and one-on-one mentorship from renowned designer Nicholas Davey.
Meet the game-changers: Ebele Ojechi, Jerrell Cumberbatch, Gabin Kongolo, Letitia Inniss, and Still Shady, each with their unique artistic visions. Their work is prominently displayed alongside a captivating blend of memorabilia, art, and photography that pays homage to Chelsea, its fans, and iconic figures like Madness, Paul Weller, and Raquel Welch.
In the spotlight is Chelsea Women, the team that has dominated the Women's Super League for the past five seasons and is gunning for a clean sweep of every trophy this year. Artifacts such as a signed shirt from their first Women's FA Cup victory in 2015—the first-ever final held at Wembley Stadium—and Maren Mjelde's League Cup final jersey take center stage, alongside legendary relics from the men's team.
London-based fashion designer Ebele Ojechi, of Nigerian descent, is one of the winners who boldly made an impact with her collection, "For the Glory." Her designs draw inspiration from classic Chelsea kit designs and traditional Igbo attire, resulting in a captivating fusion of both cultures for a range that celebrates Nigerians' experiences in London. With Nigeria boasting the largest Chelsea fanbase of any country, Ebele's work resonates with the vast diaspora around the world.
different backgrounds and come together to form one united team." In line with Chelsea's championing of diversity, Stars like Sandy Baltimore and Oriane Jean-François strutted their stuff in Ojechi's campaign.
"The 1998/99 shirt is the most iconic and memorable to me," Ebele shared. "I've incorporated elements of that shirt design into my collection, creating an upcycled version that's guided the entire project." As a mother, she also draws inspiration from the many mothers who balance their careers with their duties as parents, such as former captain Katie Chapman and legendary head coach Emma Hayes.
The Blue Creator Fund initiate aims to shine light on underrepresented creatives from various ethnic backgrounds, empowering young people from diverse communities to explore careers beyond football. Laura Cordingley, CEO of Chelsea Foundation, stated, "Diverse content creation captures hearts and minds. We want to celebrate young people and demonstrate that there are numerous opportunities beyond the pitch."
"Ebele's sportswear collection is a must-see at the Saatchi Gallery. It's a riveting exploration of 120 years of Chelsea's kit history and the club's relationship with Nigeria," adds Cordingley.
Catch the "This Game is What We Make It" exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in London before it ends on March 24. Click here to register your interest!
- The Saatchi Gallery exhibition, "This Game is What We Make It," features the work of Ebele Ojechi, a winner of the Blue Creator Fund, a collaboration between Chelsea Football Club Foundation and Versus.
- Despite being criticized for their lack of representation, the exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery showcases the unique artistic visions of creatives from diverse backgrounds, like Ebele Ojechi, as part of the collaboration with Chelsea Women.
- In addition to the artworks of the selected creatives, the Saatchi Gallery exhibition highlights Chelsea Women's achievements in the Women's Super League (WSL), including memorabilia such as Maren Mjelde's League Cup final jersey.
