Oxford University has established what is believed to be the world’s first academic fellowship to capture the link between sport and art.
The Legacy Fellowship will install an artist in Oxford to reflect on the build-up to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and by Podium.
The fellowship is a collaboration between the University’s Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Art, Oxford University Sport and Modern Art Oxford, and will comprise a twelve-month residency at the University’s Iffley Road sports complex, which is an officially recognised pre-games training camp.
"Working alongside student sportswomen and sportsmen and competitors bound for London 2012, the artist will produce a new body of work in time for the start of the Olympics on 27 July 2012"
Paul Bonaventura
Paul Bonaventura from the Ruskin School said said: ‘The black-and-white picture of an exhausted Roger Bannister crossing the finish line in his record-breaking run at the Iffley Road stadium is one of the most iconic images in sport and provides the award with an entirely fitting symbol in terms of achievement and durability.
‘Working alongside student sportswomen and sportsmen and competitors bound for London 2012, the artist will produce a new body of work in time for the start of the Olympics on 27 July 2012.’
Iffley Road sports complex hosts the Oxford Boat Race crew for their indoor training and is the home ground of Oxford University Rugby Football Club. The University is currently seeking to raise funds for a redevelopment of the stadium and indoor facilities. Sir Roger Bannister turned 82 last month.