Islamabad United, the most decorated team in Pakistan Super League history with three championships, proudly unveil ‘Game Changer,’ – a unique artwork by internationally acclaimed artist Imran Qureshi. This piece embodies the electric energy of cricket and celebrates the unwavering spirit of Islamabad United.
“‘Game Changer’ incorporates both the energy of cricket and the vocabulary of internationally acclaimed visual artist Imran Qureshi,” said Amna Naqvi, Co-Owner of Islamabad United. “The figure is wielding a bat almost like a sword and it is composed of cricket balls which are covered with Qureshi’s floral like motifs which are inspired by the landscapes of Indian Mughal court paintings. The stance of the batsman is as powerful as the team it symbolizes! Qureshi is master of action painting and here instead of a brush he throws six balls at the canvas to complete the ‘over’. The bounces and treads that the ball create in this over across canvas, reveals the perineal contest between a batsman and a bowler. The batsman is present on the canvas while the bowler thought absent is very much ‘present’ in the form of his powerful throws.”
“Game Changer” captures the dynamism of cricket through the lens of Imran Qureshi. The piece transcends mere representation. It embodies Islamabad United’s commitment to innovation and excellence, both on and off the field. The artwork celebrates not just the team’s victories, but also the unwavering passion of its fans and the captivating beauty of cricket itself.
Artist Imran Qureshi said, “Creating artwork with new challenges and risks is always exciting for me. This was the second wonderful opportunity to work with Islamabad United. Exploring digital and painting mediums in the completely new context of sports, its energy, and power, was the true beauty of the experience. Through ‘Game Changer,’ I aimed to capture the raw emotions and energy of the game, while also introducing art to a wider audience.”
Indeed, this project marks the continuation of the groundbreaking AANideasLAB #IQxIU collaboration between Islamabad United and Imran Qureshi. Launched in 2022, this initiative represents a historic first, forging a bridge between the worlds of cricket and art. The first collaboration in 2022 saw Qureshi’s creative journey intertwined with Islamabad United players, for a multi-week visual art project. The resulting artistic output transcended the canvas, finding its way onto the team’s official kits and other ventures.
This innovative collaboration further solidifies Islamabad United’s position as a thought leader in the game and its various facets, as the three-time Pakistan Super League champions continue to redefine the experience of cricket.
For more information, please visit:
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/IsbUnitedPSL/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/IsbUnited
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/islamabadunitedpsl/
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About Islamabad United
Islamabad United is the most successful team of the Pakistan Super League (PSL); winner of the first, third and ninth seasons. The franchise believes in bringing change to Pakistani sports with the introduction of international standards of practice and a commitment to continuous progress.
About Imran Qureshi
Imran Qureshi, Pakistan’s pre-eminent international visual artist, was born in Hyderabad, Pakistan and earned a BFA at the National College of Arts Lahore with Distinction in 1993. He started teaching at the same institution shortly after. Imran Qureshi has exhibited both locally and internationally for over twenty-five years and has managed to greatly expand the language of miniature painting, both in its traditional form as well as other iterations such as site-specific installations, three-dimensional works, video installations, performance art and paintings. His work has been shown in more than 130 exhibitions in public institutions and his artwork has been collected by global museums and public collections.
About AAN Leonine Sports
AAN Leonine Sports is the proud owner of Islamabad United. AAN-Leonine Sports is focused on enabling sports and creating franchises with a mission to provide: 1) A truly global experience on sports entertainment; 2) A fan base which is loyal, aware and supportive of the sport and the franchise; 3) An aspirational beacon for up and coming players to strive for excellence in cricket for Pakistan in particular and for the world at large; 4) An eco-system for the promotion of sports through close partnerships with the respective sports boards; 5) A truly professionally-run organization with exceptional standards of corporate governance and international best practices; 6) Promotion of Pakistan through sports and involvement of internationally known figures into Pakistan; 7) A responsible member on CSR.
The company focuses on the above mission statement by implementing a strategy built around the principle of 4 Es – Excellence, Empowerment, Education and Environment.