Eleven top AFL players will bare their souls and spirits in an unexpected art exhibition ‘The Art of Football’ – a series of hand-painted, one-off artworks on footballs – at the NAB building in Docklands, Melbourne from Wednesday, 28 June to Saturday, 8 July 2017.
‘The Art of Football’ is the idea of Surf Coast artist Xavier Davies, a good friend of St Kilda AFL player Nick Riewoldt, whose sister Maddie lost her battle with Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome (BMFS) at the age of only 26. For Davies, the exhibition and resulting artworks represent the spirit that Maddie Riewoldt displayed in her fight against BMFS.
Maddie’s passing shook the entire football community and for all the players involved, including Geelong’s own Patrick Dangerfield, being part of The Art of Football exhibition has been a chance to honour Maddie and continue to show strength of support to the whole Riewoldt Family.
Dangerfield worked alongside local artist Trav “Ling iD” Edwards to design and create a football that was representative of his story and his passion to raise awareness of BMFS.
“Patrick had a bunch of great ideas for the football based off the things that help inspire him from life down the Surf Coast and Geelong. Living in the area myself, it's hard not to connect to the ocean and the power it has to inspire.
Taking inspiration from Moggs Creek and the journey to the MCG, l put together a surf and resin inspired artwork using a bit of purple that is the signature of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision. Of course l also had to add a little bit of the Cat's theme song in there as well!” said Ling iD.
Dangerfield’s football, along with the other 10 footballs will be on display at The Art of Football Exhibition until Saturday, 8 July. An online auction has also been set up, which all proceeds from the auction of Dangerfield’s football will go to Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision. With continued community support since its launch in 2015, Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision has raised over $1.6 million, with $1million already granted to vital medical research projects to find a cure for the Bone Marrow Failure syndromes (BMFS) that affect young Australians each year.
Maddie fought her battle with inspiring determination and courage and was determined to make a difference. Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision is that difference. We invite you to join us in supporting this unique effort of Patrick Dangerfield and Wonderlust, the artists and players, and all those who stand with the Riewoldt family to honour Maddie’s memory and the memory of every child, adolescent and adult lost to BMFS. It’s now up to us to put our heads down and lift our hearts and #FightLikeMaddie to find a cure for BMFS.
