We are the Geordies: A new exhibition gets to the creative core of Newcastle United

Newcastle is known for a lot of things. Boozy nightlife, an unique dialect, iconic bridges and a rich football culture – supporters of their team, Newcastle United, were voted the 2nd most passionate fanbase in the Premiere League. Recently, the club acquired another notch on their belt with a historic Carabao Cup victory – and it’s being celebrated at Newcastle’s beloved Baltic Centre For Contemporary Art, with a free art exhibition named Road To Wembley, showcasing over 100 documentary style photos, audio and film installations with fan interviews and interactive displays that recreate the atmosphere of “the Toon’.

The exhibition features the vivd illustrations Joonho B Ko. Angular and textural he’s filled with works with classic black-and-white checkerboard patterns and Geordie easter eggs. A saxophonist (much like the one featured in the triumphant NUFC theme song by Northumberland-born Mark Knopfler) plays passionately in a Newcastle kit, and magpies – the feathered mascot of the globally recognisable northern football team – fly around the page. Joonho’s futuristic and sleek illustrations lend themselves surprisingly well to the assignment of capturing the heart of such a historical club with a progressive edge – Joonho almost makes football look futuristic and fantastical.

Alongside Joonho’s work sits a collaboration between Jimmy Turrell and Ewan Spencer, the former bringing a pop arty, rave flyer ethos and the latter bringing a photographic eye to the project. Working with collage aesthetics, combining photography, screen printing, painting and combining hand-drawn elements with modern digital tools, nothing represents the breadth of Newcastle’s potential more than these visually noisy, colourful print works. Emboldened with a slogan that reads ‘belief is black-and-white‘, Jimmy and Ewan offer football as faith – for NUFC fans, the Carabao Cup victory is gospel. “This was about more than documenting a football match – it was about capturing a collective release, a moment of belonging,” says Jimmy. In their explosive colour, Jimmy reflects the euphoria felt in the streets, pubs and hearts of footy fans whilst abstract mark making mimics the movement of chants, flags, music and the visceral rush of the game. “I try to carry a mix of grit and poetry into everything I make.”

In collaboration also with Versus and Nic Ostacchini, it was important that the exhibition was built as a visual thesis on belief and belonging, as well as the wider fan journey of parades and away days – to imbue it all with lived experiences as a Geordie was paramount. Freelance art director and educator Will Knight, the designer of the exhibition, wanted to connect with the club beyond St James’ Park. “I think it’s also a nice opportunity for people to pause and reflect. Football moves so fast – you win a cup and the next week you’re moaning about a defeat or a player wanting to leave the club,” says Will. “Having something physical hanging on the wall where you can stop and think, ‘yeah, that was great’ feels like a really nice sentiment.”

Newcastle’s sporting history is palpable, especially in one of Will’s primary inspirations –The Pink –The Chronicle’s Saturday football special that ran from 1895 to 2005. A major staple of sports fans in the North East, every failure and victory was recorded on its page. With victory, there is also the chance of loss – and the Geordies know this feeling all too well. “We also drew from Margaret Calvert’s iconic design for the Tyne and Wear Metro – a way to tap into the city’s familiar visual language and create an identity rooted in both local football history and the culture of the region,” says Will. Pulling together mural-like pieces that hit you with the same force as a stadium chant, visually fresh illustrations and a fantastic resource of interviews and opinions from the folks of Newcastle, this new exhibition creates a black-and white-striped church where magpies are always welcome.