Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium witnessed an adornment of seven dazzlingly brilliant new pieces of artwork last month in January.
A result of prolonged consultation and back-and-forth between its very own fans, staff, legends and artists, these works have turned the outside of the Emirates into a vast impressive gallery.
With the last one still under progress, the vanguard that headed this renovation was made up of critically acclaimed artist Reuben Dangoor, graphic designer David Rudnick and Turner prize winner Jeremy Deller.
Although each of these pieces deserves special scrutiny, one artwork featuring the Gunners caught Twitter’s attention for a splendid little detail.
Titled Victoria Concordia Crescit the team’s Latin motto for ‘Victory Through Harmony,’ the artwork caught Arsenal fans’ attention for having its official club mascot, Gunnersaurus cleverly tucked in a yellow ribbon tied to the right cannon.
How did Gunnersaurus come to be?
This interesting bit took some while to get noticed and when it did, fans took to Twitter exclaiming the discovery while others struggled to find it.
The Gunnersaurus or Gunner for short first appeared in a match against Manchester City on August 20th 1993 in Arsenal’s previous stadium Highbury.
It was designed by Peter Lovell at the young age of 11 in the same year, rising as the winner in a contest for the design of a new mascot for the club.
The mascot has become a crowd favourite as fans rush to click pictures with it and enjoy the sheer joy it spreads. Gunnersaurus was here to stay all through these years.
Besides this surprise, the piece represents the spirit and valour that embody the legendary figures at the club.
Alongside the Gunnersaurus, slightly towards the left, one can also see the club’s founding year 1886 etched onto the cannon.
The picture is a celebration of Arsenal’s glorious history and achievements in the 136 years of existence since it was first established by workers at the Royal Arsenal Ordnance Factory.
What is the significance of the artwork?
The theme underlying this artwork is ‘Icons and Role Models’ and it draws inspiration from the neoclassical style of French revolutionary paintings.
The so-called icons and role models include Ian Wright, Tony Adams, George Male, Emma Bryrne, Jayne Ludlow, Frank McLintock and many others.
This fresh, new and magnificent look almost symbolises the dawn of a new era under men’s team head coach Mikel Arteta and women’s team head coach Jonas Eidevall.
As Arsenal enjoys its continued dominance in Premier League’s top position as a favourite to lift its fourth title, the artworks and renovation seem to usher better days for the club.
This mural is positioned near the away entrances where supporters will arrive at the Emirates Stadium to watch their team.
The visually mesmerising collection is bound to transform the stadium just like how its predecessor Highbury was reputed for its architecture.