Avid rugby fan and student at Bath Spa University, Matthew Withey has been commissioned by Bath Rugby to produce ten full-scale portraits of players to mark their 150th anniversary.
Withey, age 20, who has just completed his first year studying BA (Hons) Fine Art at Bath Spa University, is a keen rugby player himself, so when the team approached the University to find an artist he jumped at the chance to tackle the commission.
The impressive paintings are situated in SouthGate shopping centre’s carpark and were unveiled at an event yesterday which was attended by Bath Rugby player Leroy Houston.
Matthew, who is Bath born and bred, created the ten portraits using bold colours in acrylic paints, and designed the paintings to look clean and simple up-close, and lifelike from a distance.
Coming from a rugby background, Matthew’s father Steve Withey, and his uncle Kevin Withey, are well-known for rugby in Bath, and being a devoted fan helped him when it came to painting the individual facial features of the players.
He also used photographs of the team in action on the rugby pitch to help him complete the portraits.
The artwork took him five months to create, with the largest portrait measuring two metres by two metres.
Matthew said: “As a boy I aspired to play for Bath Rugby following in my uncle and father’s footsteps, so I am very proud to be involved with the club through my artwork.
“It’s an amazing feeling knowing that my paintings will be seen by so many people visiting SouthGate.
“Sport and art have always been my strengths, and that’s why I focussed on them at school and why this commission was absolutely perfect for me.
“I wanted to create a strong impact with my paintings so I chose vibrant colours to draw focus on the club colours and players, and I think they work well.
“My ambition is to be an art teacher and the Fine Art course at Bath Spa University has given me the confidence to make this a reality, and of course I’d love to do a bit of rugby coaching on the side!”
Professor Anita Taylor, Dean of Bath School of Art and Design at Bath Spa University commented: “We are thrilled to have been able to work with Bath Rugby Club on this major commission to mark their 150th anniversary.
“As two of Bath’s longstanding and prestigious institutions, founded in 1854 and 1865 respectively, this was a fitting partnership; and through this we have had the delight of connecting an emerging artist’s passion with a significant commissioner and to see that come to fruition in such a public and engaging way.”
The BA (Hons) Fine Art course at Bath Spa University is taught by internationally recognised tutors and is a studio-based course covering all media, including painting and sculpture.
The paintings are mounted on the walls of the SouthGate General Carpark and will be a permanent fixture.