Victoria

‘Victoria’, created by Marcus Harvey, is a remarkable work in the Gelderlandplein’s collection. Marcus Harvey, who was born in 1963 in the United Kingdom, was a well-known and prominent member of the Young British Artists, a group that radically transformed the British art scene in the 1990s.

Harvey created a green version of his bronze statue ‘Victoria’ especially for Gelderlandplein. The sculpture represents a deflated football and symbolizes the lost glory of English football on the international fields. The choice of green can be seen as a reference to the grass of the playing field. A subtle yet powerful connection with the theme of the image.

‘Victoria’ is part of Harvey’s broader research into national symbols and how they reflect cultural identity and history. The statue is not only a symbol of a bygone era but also an ode to football, a sport deeply rooted in the hearts of many and often a reflection of both national pride and social issues. Football evokes a sense of unity, connects people from different backgrounds and is a sport that is accessible to everyone, which makes it unique. Therefore, feel free to touch the artwork and sense the connection, the pride and the glory of the game.