The Black Looks exhibition traces over a Century of Black and Asian footballers in Britain through a series of fine-art portraits including information panels highlighting the 'hidden-history' of ethnic football.
Black Looks uses two formats a main and portable exhibition for work in education and the wider community.

Problem

Football reflects society; the racism targeted at ethnic and minority groups living and working in Britain is often translated onto the football field. Although incidents of racism are few and far between in the Premier League, racism is still prevalent within grassroots and amateur football in Britain. There are many local incidents that occur during and after matches that are simply not recorded in football statistics. Black supporters continue to be underrepresented at stadia across the country, even in areas where there is a substantial local black population. Despite superb credentials, Black players have come up against a glass ceiling in their attempts to move into coaching or management. Currently few professional clubs in Britain have a professional British player of Asian origin in their squad. Twelve years on from Jas Baines book ‘Corner Flags And Corner shops’ Asian players still complain of being marginalized. 'It seems that it is possible to talk about the absences of racism in football, but not about its presence…” Foothold aims to 'educate through art and sport' focusing on young people between the ages of 5-18.

Solution

Black Looks uses the strength of art combined with the passion of football as a medium for change. ‘A picture paints a thousand words’. Black Looks provides a unique scheme of work, combining original artwork with the power of the written word, outlining the ‘hidden-history’ of ethnic football. Key role models such as; Arthur Wharton, Walter Tull, and Andrew Watson are featured alongwith a host of ethnic players. Black Looks is a long- term project that is continually developing and transforming, as is football! It provides a focal point or backdrop for a range of activities. The project includes work on the History of Women's football and the various strands of disability football played in Britain. (Football for All) The exhibition uses two formats; Main/ Black Looks- Displayed in Museums and Art Galleries. A traditional fine-art exhibition, featuring over fifty pieces of fine art work including; paintings, drawings, prints and mixed-media work created using a range of traditional, hybrid and contemporary techniqiues. Corresponding information panels are an important feature. The Portable Black Looks Format – allows for easy access and display in schools, youth clubs and venues normally neglected by fine-art exhibitions, it also makes contact with new audiences. Black Looks provide a resource for work within the practical arts, football and citizenship. 1) Work in Youth and community organizations. 2) Primary and Secondary education 3) Work in Libraries, Art Galleries and Museums. 4) Football Conferences / Events/ Coaching Black Looks its' archive and historical information will be made available online in a dedicated website, providing a forum for debate, discussion and downloads! It is hoped that the format of The Black Looks exhibition can be emulated by creative individuals and groups worldwide, tackling specific problems and initiatives

Example

Foothold UK Ltd has used the Black Looks scheme of work to deliver projects and lessons in over 200 schools and community organisations. Foothold has worked across every area of education, youth and community work. The project has provided a gateway to learning for many youngsters, especially those disillusioned or disenfranchised by mainstream education. The Black Looks portable display has been used for work with new arrival families, asylum seekers and areas of discontent within the established community. Black Looks has been used as a focal point for specialist projects such as; Art on the Move, taking art directly to the community using a mobile van, also Words Out library service, that focuses on work with Caribbean boys and teenagers. Black Looks is a highly acclaimed body of artwork that has been displayed in a number of prestigious solo exhibitions throughout the UK. It attracts a new audience to museums and art galleries with record- breaking attendance figures. Black Looks has also been shown at The European Parliament in Brussels. The archive promotes over a century of Black and Asian Footballers in Britain outlining the ‘hidden-history’ of ethnic football- Information is power! The artwork celebrates the impact of ethnic footballers in sport and wider society and in particular the unsung contribution of Asian footballers. The project highlights the important football and historical icons; Walter Tull and Arthur Wharton. The portable exhibition has been displayed at a number of important football conferences and events, also linking into football coaching and soccer skills. Black Looks has been featured in the 'Black Flash' documentary made by the BBC, and in many radio programmes and publications.

Marketplace

The established and well funded organisations such as Kick it Out cover part of Footholds remit. Although we are not in competition with anyone, we prefer to work with others in unison.