David Shrigley, one of the most celebrated sardonic British artists of the last decade, is collaborating with the team behind Neapolitan pizza restaurant group Fatto a Mano to raise money for a beloved community sports charity in his hometown, Brighton Table Tennis Club of which he is a long term supporter
Launching on October 19, the partnership will see the artist and pizzaiolos cook up a limited-edition pizza and range of merch. They’ll be available to eat in and take away at all Fatto a Mano restaurants (which started in Brighton in 2015, but has six branches in London including Soho, Bethnal Green and King’s Cross).
On the menu? The Champion, topped with items chosen with help from the people the collaboration will directly support. Club members submitted ideas for their dream pizza through a suggestion box, before Fatto a Mano developed a shortlist. Shrigley then joined members and the restaurant team for a tasting to pick the winner. It’s topped with stracciatella, figs, wild rocket pesto, mozzarella and aged balsamic red onions, on 24-hour-proven dough. Those who prefer a stab of heat can also add Calabrian ’nduja.
Shrigley has also designed a bespoke takeaway box, as well as limited-edition tote bags and T-shirts, which will feature his signature deadpan humour. They’ll be sold through Fatto a Mano’s pizzerias and website, with online sales opening at 9am on October 19. All profits from the merch will go to the club.
On launch day, £10 made from the sale of each pizza will be donated to Brighton Table Tennis Club, while for the remainder of the five-week run, £1 from each Champion sold will go to the charity.
Both the Brighton-born Fatto a Mano and Shrigley (who lives in Brighton) are longtime supporters of the club, which welcomes players of all ages and backgrounds, including refugees, young people in care and people with learning disabilities. Funds raised will reportedly support its work in helping people meet, play and find opportunities through sport.
More community events are due to be announced.
The David Shrigley x Fatto a Mano collaboration launches on October 19 and runs for five weeks.
