We are no stranger to the cult like status of the illustrator John Gillard. His work marrying popular figures such as Larry David, Tony Soprano and Biggie have made him a sure fire hit amongst both football shirts fans as well as tv and movie fanatics.
John Gillard, AKA @zooligan has become an illustrator we at Cult Kits look for just about anyway to work with. Reimagining some of our favourite characters from across film, television and music has become a constant highlight.
With us heading back out to Hong Kong this month for our second pop-up, gave us the perfect opportunity to collaborate for a second time. Challenging John to assist us with creating a homage to Bruce Lee and his iconic martial arts films.
Whilst working with John, we managed to catch up to talk more about how he got into illustration and how he's become a cult favourite.
Cult Kits: First things first – who's your team?
John Gillard: West Ham.
CK: Oh well, no one's perfect. Moving swiftly on... What's your earliest football memory?
JG: My parents having everyone around our house to watch Brazil v France in the 1986 World Cup quarter final.
CK: Your known for combining popular figures with popular shirts and teams – just how did it all begin?
JG: It began in lockdown working on a creative initiative to help food banks in Liverpool. Hundreds of creatives produced portraits of Premier League players to form a Panini style album. I chose Southampton’s Jannik Vestergaard. Being a very well dressed player I put him in a 1986 Saints shirt with the sponsor as Dapper Tools, and in a slick blazer.
CK: That's amazing your work was born form such a worthy cause. We did not know this. Has your style always been in the hand drawn format?
JG: I wanted to see what I could do with the exact same felt tips I used as a child. I use those old Berol markers. And I wanted to separate the person from their clothes and background, which is why I use crosshatch for the skin and block colours for clothing. I also have a love for type so really enjoy the detail of the sponsors, crests and logos.
Buy Zooligan Biggie Metro Stars NYC print here.
CK: What's inspiring your work right now? Any artists, shows or movies?
JG: I’ve been inspired recently by collaborations/commissions. I enjoy evolving ideas together and coming up with something new - like our Bruce Lee Dortmund collab. The football shirt community is very inspiring, collectors like ratboiiiiiiiiphotos replicating Garfield comic strips with vintage shirts and his toy Garfield. I like a different angle and some humour.
CK: Do you get a lot of requests to draw specific popular characters/celebrities?
JG: I do get quite a few requests but there has to be a narrative between shirt and person in order to get me fired up. I’m very busy with commissions and personal pieces (lots lined up) but I’m always open to ideas.
CK: Do you have a favourite piece from your portfolio of works?
JG: Hmm that’s like choosing a favourite child. I think maybe the Larry David Parma, Frank Always Sunny Celtic, Trainspotting and now Bruce Lee Dortmund has to be in there. If you twisted my arm which you’re not, I’d say Trainspotting.
CK: That's certainly one of our favourites of your works. How has your work been received by the art/fashion and football community?
JG: Really well I would say. The football shirt community in particular is just magic isn’t it. I’ve sold work all over the world which is amazing, and a few pieces are exhibited at @futbolitis in Buenos Aires. And I dipped into the world of fashion with a series of portraits for Highsnobiety for the Pitti Uomi fashion week which was pretty cool.
CK: That's incredible what a brief to get to work with Highsnobiety for the Pitti Uomi! Are there any other artists that are inspiring you at the moment?
JG: I’m inspired by individual pieces such as Ruth Emma’s portrait of Romário in a Barça trackie top, Marco Caruso’s Celeste album cover proposal, AS Velasca’s matchday ticket 228 by Valentin Deudon, Františec Kupka’s Yellow Scale and Egon Schiele’s Portrait of a Woman in a Black Hat to name a few.
CK: What projects/collaborations do you have coming up?
JG: I’m currently working on a project with @bornoffsideuk that will be released soon. Always love working with them.
Buy Bruce Lee Hong Kong print here.
CK: Awesome can't wait to see that – we're big fans of @bornoffsiduk. Where can people get in contact to work with you/ see your work?
JG: People can contact me via my Instagram account @zooligan and see my work on my website zooligan.bigcartel.com
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