PWR stars create innovative bespoke artwork for the cover of the PWR Final programme

In a sport so focused on outcomes and results, Adrienne Konviser challenged eight of the PWR’s Red Roses to embrace the journey as they created their own bespoke artwork.

Adrienne is the founder of Art Hub Ldn, a London based process art studio built on the concept of creativity is for all . A truly non-judgmental space & community where people have the freedom to create. Adrienne is also an experienced art teacher running various classes & experiences for all.

Now, she has brought that concept of ‘process art’ to rugby as players left the rigidity of tactics and drills to create an artwork to celebrate their own journey from the PWR to the Rugby World Cup this summer.

“It was less of a brief, but rather what inspired them to do what they're doing and what dedicates them to their sport,” explained Adrienne.

“At the beginning they came in and, as everyone is there, they were like, ‘Oh my god, what are you going to ask me to draw?’

“But slowly they could see I was just asking them to play, which enabled us to create this beautiful abstract piece.

“A lot of them said family was the key or being a good example to young people. We used those things and we went through stages of creation using all different mediums.

“When you look at the piece, it's very layered with pen work, then paint work, then ink and chalks.

“There was a lot of talk about young women. It was just a really inspiring, very energetic session. They've done amazingly.”

Adrienne was first inspired to open her own studio after experiencing depression when trying to return to work in fashion following maternity leave.

“It was very unforgiving hours, a very unforgiving lifestyle. When I thought about what made me happy, it was always art,” she said.

“I always wanted to be an artist, but I was told I couldn’t so I never went down that route.”

After taking the plunge and attending art classes, she found the offering too contrived and competitive when everyone had to draw the same thing.

So Adrienne opened up her own studio where she could prioritise her mental health without judgement, and in doing so found that it was offering what others had been missing too.

“I use art as therapy. An hour of doing it, you feel rested, you feel calm, and you're able to get on with life,” she said.

“I’m ADHD, so I have a very, very active brain, and [doing art] is literally the only time where everything is quiet. I stop thinking about anything else and just focus on what I'm doing.

“It started out where I actually asked a few of my friends to come so it didn't look so empty.

“Now, I have an external studio with three rooms, I have around 80 to 100 adults a week and I teach about 70 to 80 kids a week.”

Now, in ‘The Year of Women’s Rugby’, Adrienne shared this outlet with a group of Red Roses, including captain Zoe Aldcroft and World Player of the Year Ellie Kildunne for a special piece that will make up the front cover of the matchday programme for the PWR Final on Sunday, March 16.

In doing so she discovered a group of role models who will be hoping to make a metaphorical mark on the pitch as well as on the canvas come the summer.

“Whenever they were talking about what inspired them, it was always about having other women be proud of them,” Konviser said.

“That stood out for me, they really are these role models. They fit into that role so well.

“I also noticed how connected they were, so it made it very easy to create, because they all really knew each other well.

“To get people in a room that you don't know and just ask them to trust you is quite a thing, and they just went for it. I enjoyed my time thoroughly, because it was just pure joy.”

Though it was never about the outcome, what emerged is a poetic testament to the fact that each player contributes to something bigger than themselves - whether with a paintbrush or the legacy they leave on the pitch.

“It works because it's everyone's individual marks," Konviser added.

"The way I draw squiggles is not the way you draw a squiggle. But if we all do those squiggles together and join them up, it just makes a beautiful tapestry.

“That's what you've got: a beautiful tapestry.”

Tickets for the PWR Final, on March 16 at StoneX Stadium are available here.

Matchday programmes, with the special limited edition artwork cover, will be available at the StoneX Stadium during the PWR Final.

Programmes will be charged at £6 each, with £1 from each sale going to Adrienne's Art Hub LDN, to help her to continue delivering art sessions to her local community in North London