Straight from the art: Tribute to Hillsborough goes on show in MiamiBY LIZ HULL AND JOHN CAMPBELLThis article originally appeared in the Liverpool Echo on April 14, 2000 AN AMERICAN artist has painted a tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster. The painting, called You’ll Never Walk Alone, is the latest work of Florida-based artist John Bailly. On show in Miami, it features the names and ages of the 96 who died on the terraces at Hillsborough, as well as a giant image of Liverpool striker R o b b i e F o w ler surrounded by fans. London-born Mr. Bailly, 31, lived in France for most of his early childhood but became a Liverpool fan after he watched them play St. Etienne in the 1977 European Cup quarter final. He went to art school at Yale University and is now teaching at Florida International University. The painting will be part of his exhibition at the Kendall Campus art gallery in Miami-Dade Community College. Mr. Bailly said: “Football and art would cross over at some point in my life and the subject which created the arena for this was the Hillsborough tragedy.” “In the cloudy sky the names and ages of the 96 dead are in black. They are arranged like a life cycle – so the youngest and the eldest meet in the centre.” Mr. Bailly added that the Shankly gates were at the centre of the piece. The artist said: “You’ll Never Walk Alone” gates become a symbol from the passage from life to death. “Rising as a statue out of the crowd is Robbie Fowler, who is revealing his undershirt with a message of solidarity for the Liverpool dockers.” “I felt this moment best symbolised that in Liverpool the supporters and the players are all one.” |
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