Collaged Football Hexagons with Glossop Arts Project
May 2023
In my first year of University, we were given piles and piles of disused banner material, donated by Old Trafford (the Manchester United football stadium). We were told to focus on one of the ‘pillars’ of Man Utd’s values, one of which related to inclusivity and diversity. I am not a football fan in any way, but I knew some people at Glossop Arts Project who are, some people I was sure would leap at the opportunity to do some creative football-themed work.
I had visited the ‘Nothing About Us Without Us’ exhibition at the People’s History Museum, in which I saw many inspiring banners and artefacts from protests relating to the way disabled people are treated within society. On the same trip, I had seen the Ascott Martyr’s Quilt too, which used hexagonal segments- reminding me of the Manchester Bee and my Man Utd brief.
I took this banner material to Glossop Arts Project, along with other recycled plastic bags, sweet wrappers and elastic bands, and with my People’s History Museum inspiration, as well as inspiration from the art of Michael Brennand- Wood, these vibrant and brilliantly football-themed Manchester Bee Hive hexagons were made! Participants also enjoyed a game of indoor football mid-craft. ;)
