Creating in Denmark
Based in Copenhagen, artist Jon Pilkington has made a name for himself through his colorful and intricately designed paintings. Jon’s latest creation, a special Home kit designed for Danish First Division Club, Boldklubben af 93 (B93), is as eye-catching as you’d expect from an artist with such immense talent.
Jon’s paintings are all about honesty, being open, leaving mistakes, and letting things happen in an organic way. We were interested to know how this art style and methodology translates to working with B93 to design a kit.
How do you think your style of art complements B93 as a football Club?
“B93’s values are forward thinking and open. This fits seamlessly into what I do. The whole history of the club is fascinating, the stadium is brilliant, and the culture of the Club has a good aura. It feels like everyone is pulling in the right direction to bring B93 to where they belong, both on and off the pitch.”
As football fanatics and art admirers, it is refreshing to witness the evolution B93 and Jon are helping to create. Synchrony between these two mediums [art and football] of expression is needed for growth and expansion.
Speaking of growth and expansion, the onetwo team was curious as to what the future holds for Jon. Jon is a massive football fan who got into art through drawing badges and kits. He has always wanted to break down the barrier between football and art, so working with B93 to design a kit was a full-circle moment for him.
What do you think the future holds for artists like yourself? In terms of designing kits or creating art for individual players and Clubs?
“I feel that there is a huge trend now, and footy-core has really taken off. A lot of Clubs are interested in the marketing and collaboration side of things, so I can only see it growing and opening up for this line of work. It’s not easy, and things have to be done the right way. I still think it can go a lot further than it has, but I am glad to see the overlap between design and football.”
Jon’s B93 kit design originates from his research and obsession with history. The kit features subtle details of Ernst Moritz Geyger’s Archer and Copenhagen’s iconic Osterbro Stadion, creating an original spin on deep-rooted B93 familiarities.
“The centralized figure of the archer is synonymous to the stadium and the Club. It carries a lot of weight, and was something I was focused on bringing to the design. I felt like this was something that I could translate seamlessly. For me, it was unavoidable.”
Jon said it best, and we couldn’t agree more: Football is fascinating. Football is not ordinary. Football can be unimaginable. Football is about the moments of madness that just don’t make sense. In these spaces, you have to operate. You have to respond; and the best response… is to create.