Festival 2018, the arts and culture programme for the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, has partnered with contemporary visual artists Joanne Tatham and Tom O’Sullivan who will create a large-scale structure in Glasgow’s George Square for the duration of the event.

As part of Tatham and O’Sullivan’s commission they have created the artwork for the Festival 2018 logo and brand, which will showcase the upcoming Festival 2018 programme and set the scene for what will be a major attraction in the Square, set to be the beating heart of the Championships.

Drawing on the artists’ renowned vibrant and playful artistic style and set of forms and vocabularies that have developed over the last twenty years, the Festival 2018 brand artwork was made in response to the Glasgow 2018 logo and links in with the large-scale sculptural work that will be unveiled in August.

Tatham and O’Sullivan began working together when studying at the Glasgow School of Art in the mid-1990s, first exhibiting collaboratively at Transmission Gallery in Glasgow in 1995.

The artists have gone on to present their work internationally, their most significant projects include an installation at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and the unique Christmas tree sculpture installed in London’s Granary Square at Kings Cross, incorporating sound, light and the characteristic face motifs synonymous with Tatham and O’Sullivan’s practice.

Glasgow will be the latest location to display a major new work by Tatham and O’Sullivan, reinforcing the city’s position as a centre for contemporary art and the creative industries.

Tatham and O’Sullivan said:

“As artists who lived and worked in Glasgow for nearly twenty years we were delighted to be asked to work with Festival 2018. Our Festival 2018 logo was made in response to the Glasgow 2018 logo, and links in with a large scale commission that will appear in George Square during the European Championships in August.”

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said:

“Festival 2018 will deliver a truly innovative cultural programme and it is wonderful to see two internationally renowned artists with strong links to Scotland and Glasgow, bringing the programme to life visually. Visitors to George Square will be greeted with an exciting and large scale piece of public art this summer, helping enhance the overall experience at Festival 2018 and the European Championships.”

Depute Leader of Glasgow City Council, Cllr David McDonald said:

“Glasgow’s global reputation for contemporary art meant it was always going to play a major role in Festival 2018 and its unique visual identity, celebrating a summer of sport and culture.

“This special commission, delivered by two talented artists and placed at the very heart of both the event and the city itself, will only enhance that reputation.”

George Square will be the beating heart of Festival 2018, bringing a carnival atmosphere to the city centre. Glasgow, and other areas hosting sport across Scotland, will be bursting at the seams with cultural activity throughout the Championships.

Glasgow 2018 will be the second biggest sporting event to take place in Scotland, after the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, with one million people including residents, visitors, spectators, athletes and media expected to be part of the sporting and cultural experience.