There’s no escape here—no sideline, no distance. Peter Arkwright throws us right into the centre of collision, limbs locked, sweat flying, muscle against muscle. In the Thick of It is more than a depiction of a rugby scrum—it’s a portrait of pressure, unity, and struggle.

Peter’s trademark expressive brushwork blurs the line between body and background, capturing the chaos and intensity of human contact. The energy is palpable—paint drips like sweat; gestures clash and blend as if we’re seeing not just movement, but memory.

This isn’t sport as spectacle. It’s sport as metaphor. For life. For resilience. For battling the unseen forces that shape us. Just as Peter describes “digging up demons” through his art, this piece feels like a moment of confrontation—with others, with self, with history.