Artistic Practice

Although I still work in the mainstream areas of art and design, over the past fifteen years, sport and in particular football has provided the subject matter and inspiration for my fine-art work. During this period, I have completed several football projects including;

Golden Greats, a celebration of professional footballers’ playing in the 1940’s and 1950’s.
Beckham and Best, a comparison of the two football icons.
The Professional Footballers’ Association, Fine-art posters (1900-2010)
Black Looks an ongoing project tracing the history of professional Black and Asian footballers in Britain (1863-2010).

The Black Looks anti-racist football exhibition has been a mainstay of my artistic practice, involving much research along with the creation of traditional and portable exhibitions.
The educational impact of the Black Looks project encouraged me to form the not for profit company Foothold UK Ltd (2003) with its emphasis on educating young people through the subjects of art and sport. I have currently worked with over 200 schools and community organisations.






Process and technique

I have worked as a professional fine artist for over twenty-five years, establishing an excellent record of solo and mixed exhibitions along with a reputation for high quality and innovative artwork. I studied fine art painting, printmaking and electronic graphics at graduate and post- graduate levels.
I work mostly in the area of printmaking, using traditional, hybrid and contemporary printmaking techniques. I also paint, draw and use electronic graphics and mixed-media processes.
I enjoy the fact that the combination of football and art forms a focal point for many serious issues –‘art as message’. The subject also encourages a new audience to Art Galleries and Museums.


Colin Yates