Sports memorabilia doesn’t come much more iconic than the traditional match-day scarf, yet US artist Jon Rubin is showing that there’s still room for innovation.
He has collaborated with Glasgow football team Partick Thistle’s main sponsor, Kingsford Capital Management, to create limited edition scarves that will be given away to 2000 ‘Jags’ fans on a first come, first serve basis at the club’s next home game on Saturday.
Known for his eccentric, public intervention-themed art installations, Rubin’s red and yellow designs feature the slogans ‘We are Thistle’ and ‘You don’t know who you are’.
The scarf is the latest in a series of ‘giveaways’ planned by the club in collaboration with artists, which started in June with Turner Prize nominee David Shrigley’s Kingsley mascot (pictured below), now a regular fixture at games. In October, fans were treated to a free football designed by graffiti artist Barry McGee.
Mike Wilkins, managing partner of Kingsford Capital Management, said: “The scarf is supposed to be a practical, hands-on piece of art that people can enjoy looking at but can also use when they come to Firhill to support Thistle… I hope supporters enjoy wearing them and really buy into the concept.”
Rubin said: “I’m a huge sports fan myself, so I was excited to be asked to participate. After doing a lot of research, Partick Thistle is the exact type of team that I tend to root for — the scrappy underdog punching above their weight.”
He added: “I mostly create works in the public realm, so found the idea of creating a giveaway for Partick Thistle fans a unique opportunity and challenge. I’m quite excited to be part of this project.”
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