VMU Studio has teamed up with Fanatics, the NFL, and Olaolu Slawn for their new installation, Football x Football. The project was unveiled in Leicester Square on Saturday and displayed two 35 foot inflatable sculptures featuring unique, bespoke designs from Slawn and Nigel VMU, with VMU studios bringing the project to life.
The installation between VMU Studio and Slawn features two ‘Gameday Giants’, representing the sporting traditions from both the US and UK in two separate sculptures. Spearheaded by Nigel VMU and Slawn as artistic creatives, The UK giant features Slawn’s signature clown like motifs with a nod to football (soccer) culture through the NFL X Fanatics jersey.
This larger than life figurine is accompanied by a US Giant, complete in football (NFL) pads and headwear as well as an anthropomorphic ball. These two sculptures aim to show the unity that both sports bring to their respective countries, as the NFL continues its global expansion with the 2025 international games.
At just 24 years of age, Slawn has demonstrated a titanic influence across multiple aspects of art and wider culture. From becoming the youngest artist to design the Brit Award in 2023, to his work with musical icons including SZA, Beyonce, and A$AP Rocky, there is no doubt that the artist has set standards for aesthetics and design since his arrival into the art space.
Moreover, his crossover into the sports landscape has seen him work on some of the greatest events in the sporting calendar, from The Emirates FA Cup to Formula 1 at Silverstone. His work alongside VMU Studio is no different, bridging the gap between the Atlantic through his signature, caricaturistic style, making a striking statement in anticipation of the London games.
VMU Studio, made up of brothers Nigel VMU and Leke Lex Anthony, is a London based multi-disciplinary studio working at the intersection of contemporary art, product design through public installation. With successes across fashion, art, and streetwear, they are also already close collaborators with Slawn having worked alongside him and the FA for public activations with FA Cup sculptures, as well as with Nike for his Air Max collaboration. The work of Nigel as artist and Lex driving production and strategy is paramount to the fruition of this project.
Shop the Slawn x Fanatics collection nowHERE