PUMA Commissions Oskar illustration for 2024 Paralympians Performance Portraits

Earlier in the summer, International Orange approached Oskar illustration with an exciting commission - to create an exclusive set of portraits to showcase and unify the PUMA athletes participating in the Paris Paralympics 2024. 

The aspiration for the portraits was to present each athlete performing in their Olympic discipline in a dynamic way. 

An illustration route was chosen as there was no suitable photography, allowing more flexibility - to select the angles that best showed off each athlete, their sport, and the PUMA sportswear they were wearing. 

The PUMA project owner loved the style of artist Ben Jomo’s work and once confirmed for the job a wonderful whirlwind of a process ensued, culminating in a very memorable trip to Paris. Ben joined the PUMA team at PUMA House in Paris as the athletes gathered to see their portraits for the first time. 

Benedetta Rovardi from International Orange said of the project, "Working with Ben has been very special, he really understood what PUMA was looking for and his illustrations brilliantly portrayed the spirit of their parathletes. All of them were already extremely enthusiastic and excited to start competing, recognising themselves in the beautiful pieces of art Ben created was the cherry on top of their time in Paris! We couldn’t hope for a better collaboration."

We sat down with illustrator Ben Jomo to discuss his dream project…

Q> How did the brief come about? 

Ben> International Orange approached us with an exciting opportunity to create a series of illustrations for PUMA. They were impressed by my style and believed I would be a great fit for the project. After discussing the project details, including themes and deadlines we met with PUMA and the project kicked off. 

Q> How did you work out the illustration style for the project?

Ben> After meeting PUMA and discussing the main focus points of the project, I was quick to visualise the illustration style that would best capture the athletes. The conversation provided me with valuable insights into PUMA's vision and objectives, allowing me to craft a style that aligned with the brief and stayed true to my aesthetic. I was excited to translate their ideas into compelling visuals, ensuring that each illustration would effectively convey the energy of the Paralympics. 

Q> What did you find most challenging about the process? 

Ben> The most challenging part of the project was ensuring that the illustrations clearly identified each athlete. Capturing their unique features and likenesses in a stylized manner was difficult as I was drawing facial expressions and body poses, I have never done before.

Q> What was the most rewarding part of the project? 

Ben> The most rewarding part of the project was seeing my illustrations displayed in real life along each side of a red carpet - an experience that felt incredibly rare and special. The thrill of witnessing my work in such a prominent setting was surreal. Also, the response once the illustrations were shared online was so overwhelming! The positive feedback and enthusiasm from other artists and friends felt very validating as a freelance illustrator, making the entire project even more fulfilling. 

Q> How did you feel making the journey to Paris to meet the athletes and the PUMA team? 

Ben> I felt incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to meet the athletes and the PUMA team in Paris. Hearing the Paralympians' stories first hand was truly inspiring and has most definitely been the highlight of my year!. 

Q> How did the athletes react to seeing their portraits for the first time? 

Ben> I think the athletes were all genuinely happy with their portraits and it was amazing to see their reactions on the red carpet (It was a surprise!). Nearly all of them approached me personally to express their gratitude and ask questions about my process. They were really excited when the PUMA team told them they could take the portraits home. One athlete even mentioned that it was the best gift he had ever received!.

Q> What insights did you get about the challenges facing the athletes after speaking with them at the event? 

Ben> Some athletes shared that navigating the classification system at the Paralympics can be incredibly challenging. The process of ensuring each athlete is placed in the correct category is complex and often unclear, making it difficult to guarantee fair competition. They spoke about facing significant backlash and feeling the need to justify their classification, which can be both frustrating and emotionally draining. 

Q> How important is it for brands like PUMA to be supporting these athletes? 

Ben> It’s so important for brands to support Paralympians and amplify their voices. Despite their remarkable achievements, there’s still a long way to go for Paralympians to receive the same level of recognition and respect as Olympians. Brands with significant platforms have the power to make a substantial impact by showcasing their stories. They all deserve to be seen and heard. 

To see more of Ben’s work look here.