Live from London: Postcards with alum Israel Idonije | Saturday, Oct. 11
As told to Gabby Hajduk
The Bears are in London this weekend for the launch of their fine art collaboration with artist Christian Jeffery and OOF Gallery that honors the 1985 Super Bowl XX champions. Former defensive end Israel Idonije joined the club at the gallery Saturday. Check out Idonije's postcard from OOF Gallery to hear about his impression of Jeffery's one-of-one painted jersey, his passion for art and storytelling and more.
What's up Bears fans,
It's Israel Idonije checking in from across the pond! I'm over here in London with the Bears supporting their fine art collaboration with OOF Gallery and resident artist Christian Jeffery.
Being a part of this first-of-its-kind, once-in-a-lifetime experience of celebrating the '85 Bears and The Fridge has been amazing. It's so cool to see how American football in Europe, specifically in London, has grown over the years. And that's a testament to organizations like the Bears not only creating activations when they're playing a game here, but continuing to find ways to build community and culture here even when they're not.
To me, that's what this weekend represents — all the Bears fans that have come out to the gallery to be a part of this experience, even with no game being played. It really gives fans here a sense of the Bears' tradition and history and allows them to feel connected to that.
It's hats off to OOF and Christian, too. Their passion around bringing these ideas and stories to life was evident with how the exhibit and one-of-one jersey came to life. As someone who also loves art and collects art, I got to pick Christian's brain a bit on his process and learn about this tool of flowers that he uses to storytell.
For me, my way of telling stories as an artist is through the world of comics, and when it comes to the Bears, the Monsters of the Midway universe. I believe everything in our lives is story-driven and I love the way in which comics merge with sports to tell stories. The same goes for contemporary art and sports.
Christian was able to tell a story of tradition and legacy in the Bears culture by weaving the iconic nature of The Fridge with Chicago's official flower — the chrysanthemum — and memorabilia from the '85 team such as vinyls, music, apparel and imagery.
To see that one-of-one No. 72 jersey that was hand-cut, hand-sewn, hand-stitched and hand-painted — I was in awe. I think everyone was. It's stunning and the detail that went into creating that jersey is unparalleled. We had the private viewing of the gallery Thursday and public viewing Friday and Saturday, and the one thing that surprised everyone was the jersey.
From its intricacies to its size — most people expect a much larger jersey despite it being cut to the size of his actual jersey — fans were taken aback by the work. I think Christian really created something that can live forever and be a moment that represents how the Bears wrapped their arms around The Fridge and how Chicago wrapped their arms around this team.
Sharing this art with the Bears fans who stopped by this weekend is a memory I'll never forget.
You could tell how much they loved it and how it served as a bit of a time capsule of the '85 Bears for them. I think folks really enjoyed walking through the different rooms and taking in all the memorabilia and special artwork. And then being able to take home a collective piece of Christian's work with the t-shirts was a hit as well. I think everybody loved being able to have a piece of it.
Traveling over to London with the Bears for this was such a no-brainer for me and I'm so grateful to have been a part of this moment with OOF and Christian as well. I know the Bears will be out here again next weekend for a big watch party and pub takeover, so I'm looking forward to hearing all about those celebrations as well.
Bear Down!
- No. 71
