Acclaimed artist and filmmaker Ravi Deepres’ exhibition Union explores national, social and individual identity through the imagery and icons associated with football.
For over a decade Birmingham-based artist Ravi Deepres has been exploring ideas of patriotism and identity as expressed through sport. He focuses not on the players, nor the result of the match, but on the spectators.
Deepres is concerned with how the idea of patriotism (the vigorous support of one’s country) is expressed by individuals following sport and their Club. Through his photographs he observes the behaviour of individuals momentarily enraptured by the game, or - cast adrift from the sea of the crowd - washed up in their own emotions. Furthermore, his photographs suggest a trans-cultural tribalism whereby a country’s flag and its colours are appropriated for public display.
Union by Ravi Deepres is produced by Anna Douglas, for The Public. The exhibition is open until 11th July 2010.