A sporty new exhibition has just kicked off at Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery featuring England's favourite footballers, three children from Ealing and sculptures made with the help of the local community.

Central to the exhibition are England's Three Lions which were co-created using recycled footballs by artist Matt Small and young people in Ealing. Their drawings and messages of support on the sculptures accompanied the England Men's Football Team to Germany for EURO 2024.

Now they are back home alongside portraits of famous footballers and two new commissions of Chloe Kelly and Bukayo Saka who have strong Ealing connections. Lioness player Kelly was born in Hanwell and went to school at Elthorne Park High School. While Saka, who plays for Arsenal,  was born in Ealing played youth football for Greenford Celtic and attended Greenford High School.  These two giants in their sport reinforce the idea of local heroes bringing pride to their community. And there are also three new portraits of local children, as Small aims to give young people a voice and a prominence in his work.

"Ealing is a very eclectic borough and, for me, that is its strength. Seeing a multitude of differences can be a positive thing; harnessing those differences and appreciating the variety of views and ways of seeing the world. We can use that and find a way to work together." 

"As an artist I like getting people enthused with making art and seeing how art can be part of their world".

Pride of England runs until 23 February, and under 16s can get in for free, so this would be a great half term outing to Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery. Check out their website for workshops and activities that week.