Etching the ‘beautiful game’ on Qatari soil into the hearts of all through unique art
Malaysian-born Qatar resident Partic Rozario’s Grassroots Football Painting project illustrates the legacy of the game using paintings made from coffee and water colour
A football world cup brings out the spirit of the “beautiful game” and conquers the hearts of the people the world over like none other. It also brings people closer, makes every individual rejoice on his or her own, sometimes with just a football to play, from the mountains to deserts to paddy fields to next to a stream.
It was therefore just natural for Malaysian-born and Qatar-based craftsman Patrick Rozario to get soaked into the spirit of football and its universal appeal since Qatar won the bid to host the 2022 tournament, way back in December of 2010.
Watching people celebrating in Qatar on a bridge, Rozario thought of reflecting the culture and passion of this sport by producing some fabulous paintings using ‘coffee’ as a natural dye to bring life to his telling work.
The 57–year-old, through his football series Grassroots Football Painting project, has made 100 paintings that feature football. The artist has chosen to illustrate the legacy and beauty of the game by using coffee and water colour.
“We make art to tell stories. My World Cup project, Grassroots Football, is about telling stories of the beautiful game,” Rozario told Qatar Tribune.
“I wanted to keep the memory of football intact in a different and creative way. My paintings are scenes of nostalgia and grassroots football. This is where it all began - in the alleyways, villages, paddy fields and the favelas,” Rozario explained.
“The world will very soon forget the modern imagery of football soon after the World Cup games, but images of nostalgic and grassroots paintings will be unique and be remembered for a very long time just as the Arab region’s first FIFA World Cup,” he adds.
“My paintings are scenes of nostalgia and grassroots football. It’s about grassroots football: football’s soul, football without rules, without reins, without restrictions or referees’ whistles. Sometimes, even, without a ball.
A rolled up newspaper, rags and anything kids can kick. Monks, ladies in sarees, nuns, old people, young kids, and just about anyone but professional football players. Through these coffee and watercolor paintings, I wish to have millions of people see, identify, appreciate and recognize the ordinary people and places where football is played. Where dreams are born and champions are created.”
Excerpts on his views about his project/passion.
How do you see football as a tool for peace building? Sports (especially football) have long been idealized to heal wounds, mend fences, and rise above differences among cultures and nations. Just like former South Africa president Nelson Mandela said, “Sports has the power to change the world.” Mandela turned to Rugby and Football World Cup to help foster the country’s healing process. Regardless of age, gender or ethnicity, football is enjoyed by all; its reach is unrivaled. More importantly, though, football promotes universal values that transcend language and culture. We can use it as a tool to improve the welfare of the planet and its people. Through its values, we can teach teamwork, leadership, humility, tenacity, and determination. But we also use football to shine a light on social issues, harnessing its influence and reach to draw attention to matters that are impacting society.
Why this project? Why did you take it on?
We have two sons and football is an integral part of the family. In December 2010, the family was watching television. When Qatar was chosen as the venue for FIFA World Cup 2022, all of us screamed with joy. It took a while for the reality to sink in. I told my family that two of the greatest games in the world, FIFA World Cup and Olympics, don’t come to their country for millions of people, in their lifetime. And here we have FIFA World Cup in our backyard. Therefore, we made a promise to ourselves that we will involve ourselves in the FIFA World cup in one way or another. For 11 years we had this ambition. Yes, it took very long to arrive at this idea of creating paintings of Grassroots Football.
When did you start this project? I got the ah-ha moment in late November 2021 to do paintings related to Grassroots Football. I started painting in December 2021. As at June 20, I had completed 98 paintings.
Why Coffee?
Coffee is a natural dye. I have paintings that I have created 10 years ago. They still look fresh as they were when I painted them. I like to include ‘sustainability’ in my work. Coffee comes in different shades of brown, from very light brown to almost black. It’s a versatile medium. Coffee paintings have a sepia look to it. World Cup 2022 is unique in many respects, with all the opportunities and challenges related to sustainability.
How long does it take to complete each painting?
It all depends on the complexity of the paintings. Sometimes it takes 8-10 days to complete a painting. Sometimes just a day. But I paint every day, even when I am travelling. There are times when I had to revisit a painting and re-adjust certain things. I put anywhere between 6-8 hours a day, painting.
What will you do with the paintings?
All the 100 paintings will be framed. Before framing they will be scanned. I plan to create a Coffee Table Book. Each painting will be accompanied with its narrative in English and Arabic.
The artist has partnered with award-winning media company, Dynasty Media, and the world’s favourite bakery, Simit Saray, for the Grassroots project to gain exposure. Rozario’s paintings and merchandise will be displayed starting from Monday (November 21) across 16 outlets all over Qatar.