Man of the Match | Mackenzie Thorpe

Man of the Match by Mackenzie Thorpe, 

Man of the Match is a poignant and evocative piece by renowned British artist Mackenzie Thorpe. This limited edition giclée print captures the essence of childhood dreams, ambition, and the universal love for football.

The artwork features a solitary figure standing against a stark white background, dressed in an all-black sports uniform with oversized cleats. The untied laces and the disproportionate size of the shoes suggest a child stepping into the role of a hero, perhaps emulating a father or a football idol. Thorpe's use of faceless figures allows viewers to project their own experiences and emotions onto the piece, making it universally relatable.

Thorpe's inspiration stems from his own childhood memories of playing football in the streets of Middlesbrough, where makeshift goalposts and shared dreams were commonplace. He reflects, "As a boy I used to play football with a goalpost drawn onto the side of a house; it didn't matter if we didn't have a proper pitch or whatever, we would still get into it."