Exclusive: Capturing Cricket in India - Andy Brown’s Travelling Art Show

Painter Andy Brown was the best-performing Englishman during the England tour of India. That was the social media buzz around the five-Test match series that India won decisively by a 4-1 margin. Unfortunately, Andy Brown’s performance was outside of the field of play.

Brown a famous British artist renowned for his vibrant portrayals of sporting events, has journeyed across continents, capturing the essence of sports and cultures through his art.

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, Brown shares his insights into his artistic journey, memorable moments, and advice for aspiring artists.

Art and sports

This is Andy Brown’s second visit to India. He visited India in 2011 as a tourist and was captivated by the country’s rich culture, prompting a strong desire to return promptly. Boarding the plane to India again after 13 years, Brown couldn't wait to see the friendly people again, enjoy the beautiful views, taste the delicious food, and capture it all in my paintings.

Image credit: Andy Brown Instagram

Brown got off to a good start on the first day of the first Test at Hyderabad. I was painting on the boundary on my first day in Hyderabad, experiencing Indian cricket for the first time. The noise was incredible but pleasant. Kuldeep Yadav approached me and we had a conversation about art and painting for which he has a keen interest. I showed him my work and we took a photograph together. Later, he posted the photo on his Instagram, which led to a sudden increase in activity on my own Instagram with comments, questions, and direct messages.

And then the Delhi Capitals IPL team for which Kuldeep plays put out the same post with the caption "two of the best artists in one frame". It went absolutely crazy. That was fantastic to get that kind of response on the photo.

But the human side of it is, Kuldeep coming over and saying hello in a very welcoming, hospitable, friendly way. And that was day one. After that, every day that I've been at the ground, Kuldeep has come over and said hello. We've had a chat about whatever's going on in life.

It's been really special to meet Kuldeep. He's a fantastic cricket player. We can see that with the bat with the ball. I think he's going to be an absolute superstar for many years to come. But just as a man, I can't praise him highly enough. He's been absolutely fantastic. I have had second-to-none hospitality with the people and the players here in India. I've travelled all around the world and I'd say it's been absolutely humbling, said Brown.

Art and sports are not often associated with each other. I believe that my presence at a stadium or sporting event adds something incredible. It is a valuable skill for content creation and marketing for the event. I offer a fresh perspective on the game, the sport being played, and the culture surrounding it.

Image credit: X (andybisanartist)

Not just Kuldeep Yadav, Andy Brown has forged a special bond with almost all the players, support staff, ball boys and the travelling media contingent from both teams. As seen in this series, the rewards, fans, players, and everyone around me have been pleased with my work. When I showed Rahul Dravid his portrait, he expressed how wonderful it was to have me painting there. How his players enjoyed my presence, and how it added colour to the entire spectacle.

The tour's most memorable event was when the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) presented one of my paintings to Jimmy Anderson. He took his 700th Test wicket during the final Test match of the series. I painted the moment at Dharamsala and the ECB purchased it for Anderson. It's a great honour for my work to be owned by James Anderson - a remarkable wicket-taker and superstar of English cricket. This achievement is special for me, my family, and my friends. The video of him receiving the painting was a truly special moment.

Image credit: X (andybisanartist)

Discovering the passion

Andy's journey as an artist began in his childhood. When I was a teenager, around 13 or 14 years old, I decided to pursue a career as an artist. Learning about artists like Picasso and Hans Holbein inspired me to become a part of art history, creating paintings akin to those of my admired heroes. This aspiration guided me through art school and university. For 15 years, I taught art while also painting part-time. In 2019, I decided to leave my teaching job to paint all 30 MLB major league baseball stadiums in the USA, said Andy Brown.

Brown has been a sort of cultural anthropologist at his heart. He likes to observe people and what shapes their physical and social world. His fascination with painting sporting events evolved during his time in South Korea.

I recall attending my first baseball game and observing the rich culture on display in South Korea. From the stadiums, you get an insight into various aspects of culture, economics, politics, social customs, and interpersonal dynamics. The food, music, and interactions among people add layers of fascination to the experience. This inspired me to create art centred around baseball, leading me to travel across South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and neighbouring countries to capture the essence of the sport. 

In 2019, I made the bold decision to depart from South Korea and embark on a unique journey to paint all 38 major league baseball stadiums, a feat unprecedented in history, said Brown.