Kehinde Wiley, serving Puma Eto'o put on the canvas.

 

The famous sports brand, Puma is partnering with the contemporary artist Kehinde Wiley, for the launch of its new Spring / Summer 2010 on the theme of Africa. He did not march to paint on canvas the greatest football stars of the African continent.


Kehinde Wiley is now one of those artists that everybody is fighting. He is best known for his portraits of young African-Americans, mixing urban style stagings of historical paintings drawn from classical. His style is perfectly consistent with the vibrant culture of modern Africa. For these reasons, and in anticipation of the World Cup Football 2010 in South Africa, Puma chose to collaborate with the artist to create his next collection lifestyle Africa Spring-Summer 2010, Including the portaits of Ghana's John Mensah, Samuel Eto'o of Cameroon and the Ivory Coast's Emmanuel Eboue with whom he spoke in Spanish or in French from time to time to make himself understood.
The main draw, bringing all three sports "Unity", symbolizes the united countries of Africa. Kehinde Wiley is known in the art world with his works combining modern photos and background colors and graphics. Puma official equipment supplier to many African countries, thus expanding its sphere of operations by creating a line of clothing, footwear and accessories inspired by the continent with graphics that speak to hitting the younger generations. This series entitled "Puma Africa" is based on seven sprites drawn from the work of Wiley and be released during spring. The artist returned to the exclusive Goal.com this collaboration.

  What kind of models were the players? How did they react? Kehinde Wiley"It was not easy for me to explain how to do it because I had to make unique works. Working with Eto'o, Mensah and Eboue has certainly been extraordinary. I have known American celebrities, but never from West Africa. These men occupy the space with such grace that it is not clear then transfigure. The players are not just sports figures, but as we all are looking for wholeness. Samuel has a generous presence and brilliant. It is very curious and really played the game fully.

You met Emmanuel Eboue in Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire. What were the reactions to his return? Kehinde Wiley"His fans consider him their big brother, a son of the earth, someone who has a direct relationship with them. The Ivory Coast is a country that faces some civil unrest, but it is amazing latranquillité and optimism they have in the future. " The artist has also visited Capital Ghana, Accra, to join John Mensah, and together they raised studied photography and looked for books on art history. "John was improvising, arose and said:"This is who I am. I wanted to create paintings that were larger and the players seem larger than life. "
 
 Have you found a talent in some art? Kehinde Wiley "I'm not sure (laughs). They are certainly" artists "on the ground and I am eager to see them in action in the World Cup to see what they will do. But for the rest .. "