UNITED NATIONS UNHCR

The game of soccer is not only unique in its ability to capture billions of people in such a heart wrenching way but also in its ability to transcend every aspect of human division. The basis here is that soccer is a sport unlike any other… soccer itself IS the game of life, the study of humanity. Social scientists have dubbed football the greatest unifying factor for the world, the largest community of people and the greatest sport for social change. For young people all over the world, football is freedom, its friendship; its survival. As a former player (22 years) and human right/sports artist I have seen firsthand how the beautiful game helps builds community, belonging, and opportunity. Football offers children hope and the freedom to dream. The game of soccer can help refugee youth imagine futures beyond conflict and displacement. That’s why I am extremely proud to support UNHCR as the artist and visual architect of Gamechanging XI – a team of footballers for whom fleeing home or being displaced has had a direct impact on their childhoods. 

Within the confines of the 120-yard rectangular pitch, no matter where you are in the world - the second you cross that white painted sideline marking this sacred space… You become FREE. Football is freedom. With a ball at your feet, you can do anything and become anyone. It is a place where everyone is equal. And judgement comes maybe from the best through-ball? Or how well you play defense. Honour comes from how well you dribble around opponents or a perfect header into the upper right off of an opportune cross. It is sacred — a football pitch; which, for some, may look like an abandoned tennis court painted with chalk. A beach or dirt road with goals marked by sandals. Or a traditional pitch. The feeling of absolute freedom envelopes you as you escape the world for 90+ minutes. This painting allows the viewer to step into the metaphorical boots of players like Alphonso Davies, Eduardo Camavinga or Ali Al-Hamadi. They, too, used football to become free. Each of these 11 player’s stories have been shaped by displacement reflecting the lasting impact of being forced to flee home. Some were born in refugee camps, others have parents who fled their homes, some themselves took these new journeys to safety – their lives all changed dramatically, they escaped conflict and left everything behind – except their love for football. This art piece is about football’s ability to change lives, to become a home for those displaced by war. It is football’s emotional archive. The point is? Football is freedom…. and Football is for everyone. It has been an incredible honor to paint these 11 players together for the first time as children and as heroes of multiple nations. Depicting these players standing before the world not only as the amazing footballers the world knows but as children; each carrying stories shaped by conflict, displacement or its consequences. I hope this image and this symbolic team will inspire young refugees across the world. For me, as for many as for many others, they simply embody hope, courage, resilience and the power of what is possible. A collaboration between the UNHCR and Mohamed Touré, Awer Mabil, Victor Moses, Antonio Rüdiger, Asmir Begovic, Alphonso Davies, Ali Al-Hamadi, Bernard Kamungo, Nestory Irankunda, Eduardo Camavinga, Ermedin Demirović. Concept, art and design painted by me.