Eleven top AFL players will bare their souls and spirits in an unexpected art exhibition ‘The Art of Football’ – a series of hand-painted, one-off artworks on footballs - at the NAB building in Docklands, Melbourne from Wednesday June 28th to Saturday 8th July 2017.

‘The Art of Football’ is the idea of Surf Coast artist Xavier Davies, a good friend of St Kilda AFL player Nick Riewoldt whose sister Maddie lost her battle with Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome (BMFS) at the age of only 26. For Davies, the exhibition and resulting artworks represent the spirit that Maddie Riewoldt displayed in her fight against BMFS.

“I wanted to raise awareness of Maddie Riewoldt’s Vision (MRV), the not-for-profit created by the Riewoldt’s to fund research to find a cure for BMFS,” Davies said.

For Nick and his cousin, Richmond footballer Jack Riewoldt, also involved in the exhibition, it is especially significant, commencing the week of ‘Maddie’s Match’ – the AFL’s round 16 clash between St Kilda and Richmond, dedicated to Maddie Riewoldt’s life. Equally, one of Maddie’s best friends and Senior Essendon player, Brendon Goddard, is really moved to be part of the exhibition.

Brendon said: “Maddie’s passing shook our entire football community. To be part of this exhibition is to honour Maddie - my friend, who was like a sister to me and continue to show my strength of support to the whole Riewoldt Family. Bone Marrow Failure affects young people and the long-term challenge is to continue to fuel innovation into new treatments, so we don’t lose precious lives. The line-up of support behind this unique exhibition keeps the awareness and ability to raise significant funds growing. In two years, we have raised $1.5 Million and already started funding important research projects. This couldn’t have been done without our united sporting community”.

Davies said: “The challenge for the artist was to tap into what inspires the athlete and capture it on a football. But for everyone involved in the exhibition the real inspiration was Maddie’s vision, and the opportunity to fight like Maddie.”

The Art of Football exhibition is sponsored by NAB and iD signs. The footballs will be highly sought after and the hope is that up to $50,000 will be raised. The proceeds of individual auctions in the months following the exhibition will be 100% donated to Maddie’s Vision.

You can bid on Goddard's football here

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