“I paint what comes from within and my work aligns with Barnsley’s blood and thunder. It’s the fighting spirit, the determination to battle on and the nature of coming together to do your best.”
Barnsley FC is a big part of Ben’s makeup and he shares the same values with the club and its fans. Barnsley is a very proud area and a proper old traditional footballing town, a red town. For the fans, the team is an extension of their values and Ben has always taken immense pride and passion in what he does. He regards Barnsley as a strong part of his identity and as the place that he calls home.
In 2017, Ben was commissioned by Reds In The Community and Barnsley F.C. to create seven paintings for the heritage project ‘Our Club, Our Ground, Our Past, Our Future.’ Ben spent the summer at Oakwell creating paintings to celebrate the 130th Anniversary of Barnsley Football Club. He was able to get input from fans of all generations – who were interviewed to share their views and love of the club.
Other work that Ben’s completed, alongside Barnsley FC, includes the ‘Once a Red, Always a Red’ stadium mural.
