Artist Angela Tiatia (left) has been commissioned to capture the CommBank Matildas 2023 FIFA World Cup squad for the National Portrait Gallery. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Australians will be given an intimate look at the physicality and mental focus of the CommBank Matildas’ 2023 World Cup squad in a newly commissioned artwork at the National Portrait Gallery.
It’s the first time the national institution has commissioned an artwork of a sporting team, which director Bree Pickering said would be delivered in video form.
“The work will capture the athleticism, skill and immense presence of these athletes, as well as the cultural change they imbued,” she said.
“We cannot tell the story of the Matildas in stillness; they have to be moving, there has to be sound.
“But it will also be a portrait of the Matildas before them and of the Matildas to come, because that is how significant this squad has been to the story of Australia.”
The artwork will feature all 23 players from the historic FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 squad, filmed at training camps in Houston, London and Melbourne.
Sydney-based artist and filmmaker Angela Tiatia will produce the work.
“What is so incredible about Angela’s work is she looks at representation, but she understands and can depict beauty and strength in the most magnificent way … she turns the gaze of the audience around,” Ms Pickering said.
“What Angela does is she brings those two gazes together – subject and object – so you can be both beautiful and strong, and you can look back at the audience while the audience is looking at you.”
As part of the shoot, Ms Tiatia asked players to relive the penalty shootout against France that took them into the semi-final.
She said some of the players had never watched those moments back.
“There were so many magical moments … we got to see goosebumps on the skin, to relive and capture [their] experiences in such an intimate space,” Ms Tiatia said.
“The portrait will be an intimate portrait, we will get to see the Matildas not only interacting as a team but also as individuals.
“It’s not lost on me that the Matildas are so important to Australians, and I will endeavour to capture them as powerful and strong women and athletes, and also as icons.”
One of those players was squad member Clare Wheeler.
She said watching the shootout brought on a wave of emotions.
“It’s interesting to relive that moment and watch it back. I remember every time one of us stood up to take a [penalty], I think I forgot to breathe,” Ms Wheeler said.
“Then when [Cortnee Vine] stood up … I just remember having faith that she was going to get it, and when it hit the back of the net it was just pure joy.
“It was like a cannon went off, everyone was so excited to make history.”
Ms Pickering said the gallery was about representing key moments in Australia’s identity through art.
This was why she wanted the 2023 World Cup squad to be captured.
“What we do is we have portraits here of people who have changed what it means to be Australian, or who represent major stories that tell us who we are,” Ms Pickering said.
“The reason we do it through art is because art gets into hearts and minds.”
Teagan Micah was part of both the 2023 and 2019 World Cup squads.
She said the team didn’t realise what impact they had had on Australia, beyond the traditional fans, until they emerged from the World Cup bubble.
“For the scale of how much we really touched the hearts of Aussies, I don’t think it really hit a lot of us until after,” Ms Micah said.
“Comparing that to 2019, it was night and day.
“It changed our lives forever as well.”
Former Matildas midfielder and Football Australia interim CEO Heather Garriock described the squad as not only inspiring to a generation, but the entire nation.
“To now see women’s football recognised by the National Portrait Gallery is incredibly special,” she said.
“This portrait is more than a tribute to the feats on the pitch, it’s a testament to the cultural shift they helped lead, and the legacy they continue to build for women and girls.”
The artwork will be available to view at the National Portrait Gallery this summer and will take part in the national touring program.
Original Article published by Claire Fenwicke on Region Canberra.
