Former Middlesex FA Star's Art Installation Takes Centre Stage at The NFM
In an exciting turn of events, former Middlesex FA Women’s Representative team player, Zem Clarke, has had her artwork commissioned by the prestigious National Football Museum (NFM) in Manchester. The piece, which features a tribute to England footballer Raheem Sterling, is part of the museum’s latest exhibition, Markers, which celebrates football’s impact beyond the pitch.
Zem Clarke’s journey from football fields to art galleries is as remarkable as her achievements on both fronts. Born just a short distance from the Middlesex FA headquarters, Clarke’s love for football began at the age of six when she would play with her brother. Her passion for the game soon saw her joining soccer schools at Willesden Sports Centre, leading to stints with Queens Park Rangers (QPR) Girls from U9 to U14, where she helped her team win multiple trophies, including the prestigious Middlesex Girls County Cup.
Her football career continued with Watford Ladies Centre of Excellence and a return to her home ground with QPR Ladies and London Bees in the Women’s Super League. Clarke’s skills were further honed with spells at West Ham, Denham United Ladies, and Actonians Ladies, before one of her proudest moments arrived: being called up to the Middlesex FA Women’s Representative team. Between 2011 and 2017, she made 14 appearances, scoring goals against the Army FA and Sussex FA.
A Footballer’s Artistic Journey
Outside of football, Clarke has built a successful career as a graphic designer and illustrator, working with major global brands such as Sky Sports, Chelsea FC, Adidas, and the Premier League. Her talents caught the attention of NFM’s Creative Lead, Alistair Wilkinson, known for their work across stage, screen, and sport. Wilkinson, seeking artists who could bring football stories to life, found the perfect collaborator in Clarke and sung her praises: “Zem was a joy to work with throughout the process in bringing her passions for football and art together in such an imaginative way. She is receiving widespread recognition for her talents including design work for Liverpool FC, launching in October 2024, so she will no doubt continue to serve as inspiration to other young girls who want to showcase their love of football in other ways than just on the pitch.”
Clarke’s connection with Raheem Sterling, whom she attended Ark Elvin Academy (formerly Copland Community School) in Wembley with, sparked the inspiration for her NFM installation titled The Commute. The piece draws on their shared experiences, particularly their daily bus rides to school and training, representing their respective journeys through football and life.
“The bus stop is where it all began,” Clarke reflected. “Both Raheem and I had similarities in life involving football catching the bus to school, then to training every day. It was our hub of conversation, football chat, and bonding with friends. I’m proud of our roots.”
Clarke humorously added, “Raheem may have earned 82 caps for England, but I’m super proud of my caps for Middlesex FA. Our journeys have been quite similar in many ways!”
The Commute: A Celebration of Football Roots
The Commute is part of Markers, a collection of nine commissioned artworks celebrating football heroes and their off-pitch contributions. Alongside Sterling, the exhibition features tributes to icons like Eric Cantona, Lionel Messi, David Beckham, Justin Fashanu and Mary Phillip. Themes explored in the exhibition include LGBTQ+ rights, immigration, women’s football, and ethnic minorities, demonstrating football’s wide-reaching social impact.
The exhibition also features a Community Creative Hub, where visitors can contribute their own artistic representations of football heroes.
Markers has been on display since May 2024 and will run until January 2025, offering fans a chance to explore the powerful intersections between football, art, and social change.
Clarke’s journey from Middlesex FA to the National Football Museum is a testament to her talents on and off the pitch. Now, with her work on display for thousands to see, she hopes to inspire young people across the county to follow in her footsteps, both in football and beyond.
“If I can reach this stage through my love for football, I hope to inspire others to do the same” Clarke said, as she continues to play five-a-side and pursue her creative dreams.