OH WHEN THE SAINTS!

PETER FERRIER

Acrylic on Linen (UNFRAMED)

91.5cm x 120cm

Year 2009

Location: Onsite

Oh when the saints: This exhibition of paintings by Peter Ferrier, titled "The Song," celebrates the Spirit of Football through the team song.

The unique aspect of the game resonated with the artist when he witnessed his son's Under 10 footy team, "The Oak," sing their club song with arms linked in a circle after a rare, hard-fought win. It was a rough rendition of the Richmond club song, but with the phrase "Yellow and Green" instead of "Yellow and Black." Ferrier realised that this was not just a unique aspect of our game but encapsulated the very spirit of all that is good about football. The ritual of a team song after a victory is a tradition rich with meaning and emotion. While many clubs have run foul of their members when they have dared to alter the upbeat tune, the modern game often sees players entering the inner sanctum of the rooms, imagining their song after a victory. The energy and gusto the players give the song usually indicate the narrowness or "rightness" of the win.