Newcastle United’s Magpie Emblem Inspires a New Exhibition
Celebrating its Carabao Cup win in collaboration with South Korean artist Joonho Ko.
Back in March, Newcastle United took home the trophy for the Carabao Cup, marking its first domestic cup win in 70 years – five months later, and the club isn’t done celebrating as it hosted a commemorative art exhibition in Seoul, Korea.
Coinciding with its Asia tour, the free-to-attend exhibition aimed to give fans in the country a closer look at Newcastle United’s history through archival imagery and posters. Besides the historic display, it also delivered several specially commissioned works from Joonho Ko, a local concept artist known for his moody editorial cartoons and vibrant animations.
In a unique blend of Korean culture and football spirit, Ko reimagines the club’s magpie motif through the lens of ancient folklore, where the bird is regarded as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Illustrations, including Winter Momentum and Back at the Nest, find the magpie perched in the foreground as he captures iconic matches, while pieces like Home Advantage see birds flocking behind veteran players.
As the club makes their return to Newcastle later this month, the exhibition will go on public display at the Baltic Center for Contemporary Art alongside a curation of mixed-media artwork from Ewen Spencer and Jimmy Turrell. Visiting fans will also get the chance to see the Carabao Cup as well as the victory parade bus.
Find out how you can join in on the homecoming celebrations by visiting Newcastle United’s website now.
