A TORONTO-BASED GAMING and entertainment platform has launched an NFT auction with a unique London connection.
Wondr Gaming Corp. is running its first NFT auction showcasing Olympic decathlon gold medalist and closing ceremonies flag bearer, Damian Warner of London.
The NFT captures the artistic process and final pencil sketch that shows Warner’s Olympic gold medal performance, done by renowned London-based pencil artist, Dan Pietens.
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Pietens, a former physiotherapist who is now a full-time artist, has gained a considerable following for graphite sketches of NHL starts that look remarkably like photographs.
Using its white-label, NFT technology and media network, Wondr minted the NFT from a pencil drawing that took Pietens over 35 hours to complete.
“The medal alone was an eight-hour session, but I wanted to get it right,” says Pietens.
In the foreground of the sketch, Pietens captured what has been dubbed the “last man standing” at the end of the final event of the decathlon.
“This drawing of me, which has combined my image from the podium and the end of the race, looks like a photograph. You need to see the time lapse to believe he actually drew it,” says Warner.
Warner and Pietens were classmates at Montcalm Secondary School.
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Jeff Fischer of London-based athletic brand and business management firm Fischer & Associates, represents both Warner and Pietens.
“It is an unbelievable coincidence that the ‘greatest athelete’ and arguably one of the greatest pencil sketch artists in the world, attended the same high school, at the same time, in London, Ontario,” says Fischer.
“Although my focus has primarily been NHL players,” adds Pietens, “it is fitting that the launch of the limited edition, signed series is with my friend, classmate and teammate from high school who just happens to be the greatest athlete.”
In October, Wondr Gaming announced that it has partnered with Fischer & Associates to mint and sell NFTs from its roster of elite athletes.
“The opportunity to work with elite athletes from multiple sports is a core growth strategy for Wondr to expand our WondrNFT sports offering,” noted Jon Dwyer, chairman & CEO, Wondr Gaming, in a release. “Jeff and the team at Fischer are respected members of the professional and amateur sports communities, having built a reputation as a brand advisor and mentor to some of the most popular athletes in North America. This is a great opportunity to drive new revenue streams for both Wondr and Fischer’s diverse roster of athletes.”
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“We have created a unique professional brand and business management company for elite athletes and artists, such as Olympic medalists Damian Warner, Maggie MacNeil and NHL star Logan Couture. The world of NFTs is new and very intriguing to our athletes and artists, and we wanted to create a trusted source for both groups to explore this new and exciting area of opportunity for their brands,” added Fisher. “It is fitting that our first project will be with our clients, Olympic gold medal decathlete Damian Warner and world-renowned sketch artist, Dan Pietens.”
A portion of the NFT sale will go to support the next generation of Damian Warners through KidSport Canada.
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