Andy DevaneyIf you thought the Chicago Bears had done all their celebrating of that fabled 1985 Super Bowl season, think again. The Monsters of the Midway have crossed the Atlantic—well, in spirit—to team up with London-based artist Christian Jeffery for something as unexpected as a Walter Payton stiff-arm: a hand-painted silk jersey that turns gridiron history into fine art.
The bespoke creation, Flowers On The Fridge, marks the 40th anniversary of the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl XX victory, and it’s on display at OOF Gallery, Tottenham, from October 10–12, 2025. This marks the first time an NFL team has officially collaborated with a fine artist in the international art and retail space—a marriage of shoulder pads and silk that nobody saw coming.
Jeffery, known for his research-led approach blending sport, culture, and design, dove deep into the Bears’ archives to recreate William “The Refrigerator” Perry’s original jersey—only this time, it’s crafted entirely from 100% silk, cut to the precise dimensions of the one worn in the game that made Chicago immortal.
But this isn’t just a pretty replica. Jeffery reimagines the classic navy-and-orange uniform through Chicago’s official flower, the chrysanthemum, subtly woven into the numbers, lettering, and striping. The result is a piece that feels equal parts gridiron grit and gallery grace.
Four months of meticulous hand-painting later, the artwork now stands as a symbol of the Bears’ enduring legacy and the city’s creative soul.
“The Bears’ history carries a resonance that goes far beyond the game itself,” said Jeffery. “I wanted to take that sense of tradition and heritage, and reinterpret it through an artistic lens, so it speaks not only to Bears’ fans but to anyone who values culture and storytelling. This collaboration is about honouring a legacy while presenting it in a new, imaginative way.”
For the Bears, this artistic detour isn’t just a novelty—it’s a statement about where sport and culture meet.
“The Bears are proud to be the first NFL team to collaborate in the fine art space,” said Sarah Smith, Vice President of Fan Development and Brand Marketing, Chicago Bears. “Christian Jeffery’s work reflects the powerful intersection of sport and culture, and we are delighted to have been able to work with him to create such a striking piece which blends heritage with modernity.”
The exhibition doesn’t stop at the silk masterpiece. Fans will find a special showcase of Bears memorabilia, celebrating not only the 1985 champions but the decades of passion that followed.
For anyone in London this October, it’s a rare chance to step inside the intersection of sporting history and artistic expression—and maybe even feel a little of that Soldier Field electricity in north London air.
Exhibition Details
Title: Flowers On The Fridge
Location: OOF Gallery, Warmington House, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London N17
Dates:
- Friday, Oct. 10: 9:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 11: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 12: 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Admission: Free
The Chicago Bears may have built their legend in the cold winds of Soldier Field, but in 2025, they’re proving that true legacy—like great art—never fades. It just finds new canvases.
