Why did you create this work?

Football hooliganism is an ongoing problem around the world, but especially in the UK, and I wanted to create a piece that would encourage change. Sadly, many young boys are learning this subculture, with research underpinning the fact that men’s mental health and herd mentality are largely culpable for the violence which ensues in the stadiums, in the streets, and behind closed doors.

How were your illustrations used?

The narrative is illustrated akin to a triptych painting, playing on the metaphor of religion; depicting how dedicated football hooligans are to the sport, and how the environment can quickly turn hellish should the wrong choices be made. It’s intended to be exhibited both as a mural and as beer mats – relative to where football criminality commonly takes place. My hope is that these will be a distraction, helping men focus their attention elsewhere and consider their actions. If taken further, the mural and beer mats would have QR codes linking to an animated version, with clickable components leading to real life stories of how people have been personally affected by hooliganism. There will also be links to men’s mental health services and anger management aids.

What materials and techniques did you use?

Procreate was the sole means used to create this illustration, in order for it to be easily scaled and reproduced into various formats. The colours and style were chosen to completely juxtapose the content, so children could observe without fully understanding the darker message being said. It also wouldn't deter the vibe of a friendly, bright area, which you certainly wouldn't want a mural to do.