Arsenal artist leading anti-racism campaign inspired by Bukayo Saka gesture

Hand of Hope is an anti-racism campaign fronted by world leading artists, one of whom has recreated a powerful image of Bukayo Saka being consoled after the Euro 2020 final

An anti-racism campaign inspired by a touching gesture caught in the aftermath of England's defeat to Italy at the Euro 2020 is raising funds to fight back against vile abuse.

The campaign, Hand Of Hope, is fronted by world leading artists including Hayden Bone, who has been Arsenal's official club artist for the last five years. Of the 39 pieces of art which is set to go under the hammer, Bone has contributed eight to the collection, including one featuring Bukayo Saka.

The Arsenal star was subjected to horrific racist abuse online after missing a penalty in the shootout that would have seen England land just a second major trophy with victory. Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford were also abused after missing in the shootout.

Saka received a tremendous swell of support following the ugly abuse and the recreation of an image of him being comforted following the shootout will now aid attempts to raise up to £100,000 for causes including anti-racism and the encouragement of youth art worldwide.

Bone said: ”I couldn’t be more strongly in support of Bukayo and the defeat of racism. I have painted him many times. He is a kind and thoughtful man who has endured a lot in his short life. He was victimised in an utterly despicable manner, and to come through stronger is a mark of the man. He is exceptional. These paintings are a fitting tribute to him and all the other great athletes who have overcome the sickness of racism.

“Art at this scale will keep the spotlight on the battle against racism. And there’s no better place to start than at school. Kids are blind to differences. If their heroes can inspire them to paint, support a better world, then we can make progress.”

It was a moment in the aftermath of England's penalty shootout defeat to Italy that inspired the collection. Omar Meziane, England's Head Athlete Performance Chef at the time, was seen offering support to Saka by placing his hand on the attacker's shoulder as he digested the events that had just occurred.

The gesture was snapped by a photographer and quickly went viral around the world.

Meziane, who now holds the same role at Nottingham Forest, added: ”It was a moment frozen in time, a natural reaction. The entire camp had grown very close, which was entirely down to the manager, Gareth Southgate. We really believed we would win. Then the cruellest of endings.

”I saw Bukayo in the moment of despair, alone, utterly crestfallen. He felt my hand on his shoulder, turned to face me, simply nodded in response, no words. His eyes were empty, I knew what was coming, I saw the picture splashed across the media the next day. By then all hell had been unleashed on him.”

The collection of 39 exclusive paintings feature stars from all different sports who have been subjected to racial abuse but fought back. They include Saka, Tiger Woods, Thierry Henry, Serena Williams, Chris Gayle, Vinicius Junior, Neymar and Lewis Hamilton. They all feature in a centrepiece “statement painting” called “Remember Who You Are”.

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