Major League Soccer today unveiled the official commemorative painting of MLS Cup 2004 that will be featured on the cover of the official MLS Cup 2004 game program and other commemorative merchandize. The commissioned painting, named "Victory in Red", is a true representation of the MLS Cup trophy created by New York City based artist Joseph Whiteley.
"Through the oil on canvas piece, Whiteley uses his distinct brushstrokes to convey the feeling and passion that the Alan I. Rothenberg Trophy represents, while remaining true to its shape and form," said MLS Senior Designer Daniel Bellon. "The loose style and textures he creates with his oils allows him to express a lot of feeling and we are very pleased with the result."
The red and gold composition stays consistent with the theme colors of the week - red representing passion and victory, and gold for the ultimate achievement, the MLS Cup. Whiteley's blend of colors combines to display the details of the polished hardware, including the League logo on the ball and previous Cup winners on the base. Limited edition replicas of the painting will be produced and made available at MLS Cup 2004, which will be played on Sunday, November 14 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Cali. (12:30 p.m. PT / 3:30 -p.m. ET live on ABC Sports).
"For me, painting is about conveying different personal feelings and emotions and connect with the viewer who might share similar ideas," said Whiteley. "I take what I experience from life, drawings, and painting, and put my own surreal, fantastic twist to it."
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Whiteley has lived and worked as an artist in New York City for the past six years, having studied his craft at the School of Visual Arts and the Art Students League, as well as privately with nationally respected artist Peter Cox. With heavy focus on figurative based oil paintings, his fine art has been on display in nationwide galleries as well as publications in various books and magazines including a feature in Juxtapoz magazine. Part of a new generation of young street and graffiti artists in New York that are moving quickly into the mainstream art world, Whiteley has established high profile clientele including Coca- Cola, Mavi Jeans, Toyota, and Macy's.
