Referee on the run (roller derby style, comedy, panic, cartoon, black and white, roller skating by Natalie Bruns

About "Referee on the run (roller derby style, comedy, panic, cartoon, black and white, roller skating"

by Natalie Bruns

About the artwork

In this energetic work, chaos splashes off the court. We see an overwhelmed umpire desperately fleeing from a runaway roller derby jammer recognisable by the star on her helmet. Her eyes are bright, her fist clenched, her gaze determined. To her right, a second player storms along, while an entire pack approaches in the background.

The work is done entirely in black and white, with a rugged, handmade look. The lines are coarse, expressive and full of movement. The style is reminiscent of underground zines (handmade magazines or booklets that people compose, print and distribute themselves) or vintage sports posters, perfectly fitting the alternative, rebellious roller derby culture.

It is and eye-catching work full of humour, speed and character. Ideal for any derby lover with guts.

Roller derby is a fast, physical team sport played on roller skates (quads) on an oval track. Two teams of five players each compete against each other in short rounds of play, called "jams".
Each team has one "jammer" (identified by a star on its helmet) who can score points by overtaking opponents on the track. The other players are "blockers" and try to help their own jammer and stop the opponent's jammer. This is done by strategic pushing, blocking and positioning.
The sport is intense, tactical and spectacular, with a strong sense of community and often a distinctive, punk-like culture surrounding it. It is mainly played by women, but there are also mixed and men's matches.

Conceived by Natalie and visualised by Artificial Intelligence. A unique collaboration between human feeling and digital imagination.

Conceived by Natalie Bruns, visualized with AI.