Items from the limited-edition merchandise collection will be available to purchase starting Tuesday, July 26, at 9 a.m. CDT
July 25th, 2022
CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs have teamed up with multidisciplinary artist and Chicago native, Louis De Guzman, on a collaboration that celebrates Chicago’s vibrant culture, champions the city’s talented community of artists and engages the next generation of fans. The collaboration includes a sculpture which will be displayed in the Cubs Team Store at Gallagher Way for fans to view and a limited-edition merchandise collection which fans can purchase items from starting Tuesday, July 26, at 9 a.m. CDT, while supplies last.
De Guzman, who grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago, is an award-winning visual artist and designer who creates artwork that merges his past with his present, blending both traditional and experimental techniques in his work. His signature geometric abstraction style often blends images and stories that represent his family’s immigrant journey as well as his own experience as a second-generation Filipino American. Previously, De Guzman has created collaborations with notable brands such as New Balance and BAIT.
For the collaboration, De Guzman created an approximately 5-foot, 700-pound sculpture titled “COHERE” which is a dynamic reinterpretation of the Cubs’ “Angry Bear” logo crafted from electroplated bronze. The reflective sculpture allows the viewer to physically see themselves in the art, emphasizing a sense of community and connection among the viewers. “COHERE” was constructed by purposely joining multiple pieces of metal together to depict the binding of community and connection Chicagoans feel toward one another, their city and their team. The sculpture will be on display at the Cubs Team Store at Gallagher Way from Tuesday, July 26, through at least Thursday, August 4, before it moves to its permanent home on the second floor of the Cubs Team Store in the ballpark where it will be displayed alongside other artist collaborations.
“My inspiration for “COHERE” was to create a sculpture that represents and reflects, literally, the binding of community and the shared sense of camaraderie felt among Chicagoans and Chicago sports fans,” said De Guzman when asked to describe his inspiration for the sculpture. “The energy felt throughout this city pushes and inspires individuals like myself and my peers to keep going down the path of fulfilling lifelong dreams and aspirations of performing at the highest level. The Cubs amplify those principles on and off the field. Giving artists of all kinds the motivation and inspiration to create works that elevate our city, our community and our fellow sports fans for the better.”
The collaboration also includes a limited-edition merchandise collection featuring a short-sleeve pocket T-shirt and a pullover hoodie, both of which come in sand and black and feature De Guzman’s artistic take on the club’s iconic “C” headwear logo. Miniature versions of the “COHERE” sculpture which are 7.5-by-5-by-8-inches and made of hand-painted resin also are available for fans to purchase as part of the limited-edition merchandise collection.
“I hope this collaboration with the Cubs sends a message of never giving up on the things that matter the most to you,” said De Guzman. “When it comes to your dreams, goals and aspirations, we’re clearly capable of it all. To accept what is present in order to prepare and be ready for the future. I see this collaboration as an opportunity to open the door to other Chicago artists, merchants and communities to work with organizations like the Cubs to elevate and celebrate this incredible city, its culture and its people.”
This collaboration is a continuation of the Cubs’ efforts to engage artists in the community to create collections that connect a younger, more diverse audience to the game. As part of the collaboration, fans can purchase items from the limited-edition merchandise collection starting Tuesday, July 26, at 9 a.m. CDT, while supplies last at www.cubs.com/louisdeguzman. The short-sleeve pocket T-shirt, which comes in sand and black, is available for $60 and the pullover hoodie, which also comes in sand and black, is available for $110. The “COHERE” miniature replica sculpture is available for $375.
For more information on the collaboration and limited-edition merchandise collection, please visit www.cubs.com/louisdeguzman.
