Street Child World Cup

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British illustrator stunningly captures Street Child World Cup

A renowned British illustrator from Bath Spa University has stunningly captured the Street Child World Cup: The Future Depends on You in Moscow ahead of this year’s FIFA World Cup using a series of reportage illustrations – a visual journalism technique which records events by hand and in real time.

Tim Vyner, Senior Lecturer in Illustration at the University, has drawn and documented major events across the world including many sporting events. He was commissioned by the UK charity, Street Child United, to digitally document this year’s tournament, the Street Child United World Cup: The Future Depends on You. The event saw more than 200 street-connected children from across the globe take part in their own international football tournament, festival of arts and congress for their rights.

The reportage illustrations, which are drawn on an iPad then animated with recorded audio to capture the essence of that exact moment in time, tell the stories of young boys and girls, representing 24 national teams, playing to change the negative perceptions and treatment of street-connected children across the world. Off the pitch, the young people will make their voices heard, calling for the rights of millions of children surviving on the streets worldwide.

The artwork created from the Street Child United World Cup helped tell some of the amazing stories that unfolded at the event, including the opening and closing ceremonies, which saw Brazilian footballer Gilberto Silva take part in question and answer sessions with each team, expressive drumming workshops and the Late Shows, a series of on stage evening performances, choreographed by team members which highlighted the culture of their country in the form of music, dance or drama.

Each piece created by Tim demonstrates the power reportage illustration has in capturing the atmosphere of an event, in a form that enables viewers to become immersed in the moment.

He said: “Visual journalism is an exciting way to capture the passion, atmosphere and participation that has coursed its way through this fantastic event, and I’m thrilled that the illustrations have turned out so well. The Street Child United World Cup has been incredibly vibrant from start to finish and it’s been fantastic to see sport and art changing the lives of so many people.

“As our world grows increasingly fast-paced, it can be hard to find the time to stop, observe and record the changes happening around us. People consume news in real time, so the power of reportage illustration is in the immediacy of the images that are created and the feeling of the illustrator's presence on location.”

The illustrations went on to be displayed in an inspiring exhibition at the Amber Plaza in Moscow attended by FIFA World Cup winner Gilberto Silva and the Ambassadors of Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Indonesia and Uzbekistan. The exhibition formed part of the Street Child United General Assembly, which provides inspirational young people with the opportunity to tell their story and appeal for change in the way they are perceived and treated. The General Assembly enables the young people to ensure that their voices are heard across the world.

John Wroe, Co-Founder and CEO at Street Child United, commented: “We are delighted that Tim joined us for the Street Child World Cup in Moscow. Art has always been a key part of Street Child United’s events due to its power to bring young people from different cultures together. Tim’s illustrations capture the essence of the event and the power of the young people’s message perfectly.”

Tim’s past work has included capturing the FIFA World Cup in 2002 for the Professional Footballers Association and depicting the London Olympic Games in 2012. He is currently working with students at Bath Spa University to design the hoarding around the former Herman Miller factory on Locksbrook Road in Bath, which is being transformed into the new home for Bath School of Art and Design. The illustrated mural celebrates the work and industrial heritage of the city and the art school.

The Graphic Communication course at Bath Spa University’s Bath School of Art and Design combines the key areas of graphic design and illustration practice. It provides a comprehensive "making" based experience, equipping its graduates with the full range of skills necessary to operate in the dynamic interconnected creative industries. Students develop work across print, screen and interactive media and are taught by a team of full time and visiting tutors who are design specialists and graphic communication practitioners.

To find out more, visit the Graphic Communication course page.