A new exhibition celebrating the life and times of iconic English footballer Paul Gascoigne has opened its doors in London, UK.
The main exhibition inside Warmington House - a Grade II listed permanent arts space within the walls of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium - The World of Gazza!! dives deep into the culture surrounding Gascoigne, a complex man who has battled mental health issues including addiction for most of his life.
OOF - a magazine that discovers and unravels art within football - is behind the exhibition, which it says was inspired by a series of posters from the 1990s by artist Jeremy Deller for imaginary art exhibitions, one of which was about Gazza.
“When OOF discovered the poster, we approached Jeremy and asked if we could make the show a reality,” said the magazine. “This is the result: a combination of art, memorabilia, ephemera and archive material, creating a visceral portrait of a complex man.”
OOF’s project in Tottenham took inspiration from Jeremy Deller’s 1990s series of posters for imaginary art exhibitions and turned his fake show about the footballer into a reality CREDIT: OOF
Through the exhibition, visitors can explore Gascoigne’s triumphs, as well as his repeated falls from grace. According to OOF, The World of Gazza!! is an attempt to “treat Paul Gascoigne not just as a footballer but as a serious cultural figure; one whose story has affected millions and filled more column inches than pretty much any other English footballer.”
Work on display includes existing work, new commissions and personal artefacts by artists and designers including Jeremy Deller, Douglas Gordon, Lydia Blakeley and more. Also on show are match-worn shirts from throughout Gazza’s career, alongside material from the Tottenham Hotspur archive, classic film footage and 90s memorabilia.
The World of Gazza!! is open now and runs through to September 17, 2023. Entry is free, with visitors able to access the gallery through the Tottenham Hotspur club shop.