Sky Sports commission one of a kind multi-dimensional artwork called ‘The Lion’ on display at Cardiff Castle in support of Warren Gatland’s side as excitement builds ahead of Test series in South Africa
- Sky Sports have commissioned a piece of artwork ahead of the Lions series
- It is on show at Cardiff Castle and changes form depending on the angle
- From one side it depicts a rugby player, but from another it shows a lion
- Warren Gatland’s side begin South Africa series with the first Test on Saturday
Sky Sports have thrown their support behind Warren Gatland’s Lions side by commissioning a one-off multi-dimensional piece of rugby artwork.
The ‘Lion’ as it has been named is on show at Cardiff Castle, and was designed to help excitement to build at home ahead of the South Africa series, particularly with Covid restrictions fans are unable to travel to be at the tour.
Perceptual artist Michael Murphy is behind the artwork, which he has described as ‘illusions of images rendered in three-dimensional space’ and hopes represents the passion of Lions fans.
Sky Sports have commissioned a one of a kind piece of rugby artwork called ‘The Lion’
From one perspective, the multi-dimensional piece depicts a Lions player running with the ball
But it has been cleverly designed so that from another angle it represents a roaring lion
The artwork, which is 7m x 7m in size, appears to be a roaring lion from one angle, but when viewed from a different perspective depicts a player in Lions colours sprinting with ball in hand.
The piece uses all four colours of the nations represented in the team, who will go into the Test series with South Africa without the backing of their supporters due to Covid restrictions.
Scott Quinnell, capped three times as a Lions player, paid tribute to the work for how it represents the unity of the side.
He said: ‘I think it’s absolutely perfect. It’s brought the four nations together, there’s a little bit of each player in there.
Michael Murphy is the artist behind it and wanted the artwork to have different depictions
‘You go round and see the lion – that brings it all together.’
The Lions face South Africa in the first Test of the series in Cape Town on Saturday, before travelling to Johannesburg for the final two matches.
Warren Gatland’s men have won five of their six warmup matches ahead of the series, though the one they lost was to a Test-strength South Africa A side.
Tune in to Sky Sports The Lions to watch every game of the Lions tour of South Africa live.
“The Lion” art-piece is 7m x 7m in size and is on the show in the grounds of Cardiff Castle