One of the centrepieces of Chelsea Football Club’s ongoing celebrations for our 120th anniversary began on Friday with the opening of the special exhibition This Game is What We Make It at London’s iconic Saatchi Gallery.
Blues supporters are invited along to view the free exhibition celebrating Chelsea’s pioneering past, present and future. It is open over the weekend and on Monday and for the launch event organised by Chelsea Foundation, last year’s Blue Creator Fund winners unveiled their creations to the public for the first time.
The Blue Creator Fund is a Chelsea Foundation programme, in partnership with VERSUS and creative director Nicholas Daley, supporting the next generation of underrepresented creatives. The winners’ five original creations are displayed across two galleries and bring Chelsea’s community and culture to life through fashion, film, photography, music and textiles.
The Chelsea Foundation is also featured in a dedicated exhibit showcasing the faces, stories and journeys of 12 individuals impacted by the inspirational work of the club’s charitable arm, whose programmes meaningfully supported over 10,000 people last year.
Reflecting on the exhibition, Chelsea Foundation CEO Laura Cordingley said: ‘The case studies on display and the Blue Creator Fund are wonderful examples of the Venn diagram between the club, Foundation and community demonstrating we can have meaningful impact together. It has been a privilege to display Chelsea Foundation’s work and the iconic history of the club at a venue as renowned as the Saatchi Gallery.’
Elsewhere in This Game is What We Make It, situated in The Vault are rarely seen iconic shirts from our archive. These tell the story of Chelsea’s most groundbreaking football moments which are also spotlighted through short films.
Made in Chelsea offers a visual celebration encapsulating the culture that has shaped the club. Music and memorabilia from reggae, punk, rude boy, rave and Britpop are shown alongside fan photography from photojournalist and lifelong Chelsea fan John Ingledew.
Saatchi Gallery is located in Chelsea on the King’s Road. On Saturday afternoon there will be live performances from famous DJs who double up as Chelsea supporters.