Kiwi CD Andy Fackrell pivots to painting with interactive portrait of Iga Swiatek for On

Kiwi creative director, writer and painter Andy Fackrell has created an unusual incentive to inspire tennis World Number 1, Iga Świątek to further success: a bespoke portrait of the 23-year-old ‘Queen of Clay’, commissioned by Swiss sportswear brand On.

The portrait can be customised by adding a trophy ‘stamp’ for each win. Turning a traditional painting into an interactive record of all her titles at the clay court tournament.

The dynamic portrait depicts Świątek on her beloved Roland Garros court. The portrait nods to early-20th-century Expressionism with the shadow of a 1910 Bleriot monoplane plane framing Świątek: a reference to French aviation pioneer and fighter ace Roland Garros, whom the tennis tournament is named after.

It also comes with a DIY toolkit: a ‘Template pour Victoire’ (‘Victory Template’) stencil; a hand-cut stamp in the shape of a trophy and a tube of silver paint. The idea was to inspire Świątek to another victory at the 2024 French Open – a mission she ultimately accomplished with ease – and to facilitate the tennis ace to add trophy stamps herself to her already record-breaking tally.

Says Fackrell:  “On has always embraced my personal point of view, whether in film or, recently, with art. Their commissions have always led to unique ways to express themselves as a brand. I’m delighted that I could merge my new pivot to painting with her success, to pull off a ‘tactical’ work of art, if you like.”

Fackrell – previously executive creative director at 180 Amsterdam and creative at Wieden+Kennedy, Portland – has made some of the most iconic and pivotal sports ads for Nike and adidas: Tag, Shaderunner, Wake-up Call, +10, Road To Lisbon, Kicking It, etc. He has also previously written and produced several award-winning short documentaries for On, including Superfrau and Untethered. The portrait marks his first art commission from the sports brand.