Britain’s first openly gay footballer Justin Fashanu is remembered in the latest exhibition by artist Colin Yates.
Justin Fashanu was the first black footballer to command a £1 million transfer fee when he moved from Norwich City to Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest in 1981.
However, aged just 37, Fashanu took his own life in London in May 1998.
Artist Colin Yates has been exhibiting a new collection of Fashanu artwork, called ‘Whodunnit?’ at Coventry’s Blue Door Gallery, with plans to bring the show to London, supported by the PFA.
The artwork, along with educational workshops, have been sponsored by the PFA.
Yates’ first piece of art depicting Fashanu was named ‘Ups and Downs’ and was a board game of snakes and ladders, a metaphor for Justin’s turbulent life.
"I wanted to capture a motif for his life," says Colin Yates, reflecting on the first portrait he made of Justin Fashanu 20 years ago. "I thought this was the best way to represent him."
Yates’ latest artwork represents the different characters that made Fashanu who he was and shaped his life, as a footballer, as himself and as a celebrity.
"I wanted to create a new version," says Yates. "I re-read all the information, and you think, 'why did he come to that tragic end? Why did it happen?'"
"I think being put in care was a horrendous thing for Justin, and something he kept coming back to," explains Yates. "He couldn't quite come to terms with his mother putting him and John into care."
Earlier this month a showing of the exhibition in Coventry was attended by Justin’s niece Amal Fashanu, where she was the guest of honour.
Yates’ piece is being exhibited during February which is the designated month of action for Football v Homophobia, known as The Justin Campaign when it was founded in 2008.
Justin’s former clubs including Manchester City, Tottenham, Charlton, Exeter and Altrincham have all marked Football v Homophobia with different events in recent weeks, all which, along with Yate’s exhibition keep Justin’s memory alive.
.jpg)
