Pretoria-based artist, Adele Bantjes, celebrates her love for soccer in an artistic way. As her art work can be seen on McDonald’s fry boxes around the world. It is titled ‘heart of the game’.
McDonald’s wanted to add a twist to their packaging to celebrate the 2014 World Cup. The fry boxes were changed into art master pieces which reflects the colour schemes, excitement, glory and the universal love for the game.
Over 500 artist from around the world were contracted to create artworks that reflects their passion for football. Only 12 artists were chosen. South Africa, Australia, Japan and China contributed four of the 12 pieces that now make up the set of icon and historical fry boxes. The artists were selected from the fine art, traditional to contemporary and professionally world-renowned to newly-discovered categories.
Adele Bantjes artwork was selected for its universal appeal to all ages and cultures, with attention to the storytelling nature that she brought out in the piece of art.
Bantjes started out her art career making paper mache sculptures and naïve paintings on paper. She started using recycled paper on canvas to build up relief details on some of her paintings. This led to a very unique technique.
She is self-taught and enjoy doing art in a naïve style. She loves the childlike innocence, humour, pure joy and bright colours. She says this type of art does not lie and almost always brings a smile to people’s faces.
”I think that the new designs celebrate the spirit of the game of soccer and it is great that McDonald’s gave artists the opportunity to have the iconic fry box as a canvas. I am honoured to have been offered the tremendous opportunity to share my passion for art with millions of people around the world,” said Bantjes.
Bantjes inspiration for her design was drawn from thoughts of a family gathering around a portable radio listening in anticipation and celebrating a goal. The image of a family enjoying and celebrating the beautiful game together is for her the ‘heart of the game’, and that is exactly what she captured.
Asked how the experience has changed her as an artist she said: ”This project really took me out of my comfort zone on so many levels. I had challenges I have never had before. I learnt so much and came out stronger than before.”
Furthermore, the artwork triggered a mobile app. McDonald’s has also launched an innovative and exciting game that let consumers participate in a beautiful game of their own. Working off the artwork, the McDonald’s GOL! game draws users into an augmented reality (AR) world where they can create and share their best trick shot goals with friends.
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