A 19-year-old Sunderland fan who creates football artwork to cope with a debilitating condition has received a personal thank-you video from Newcastle United captain Dan Burn. Jack Berry, from Sunderland, has refractory epilepsy, a condition that can become resistant to medication and treatment. In recent weeks he has stayed at Sunderland Royal Hospital after suffering three tonic-clonic seizures. Despite this, he continues to make art that connects football fans across the North East.
Artwork catches the eye of Dan Burn
Jack has been tutored by artist Lewis Hobson, owner of Durham Spray Paints, and over the past couple of months has created prints of players from both Newcastle United and Sunderland AFC, with fans across the region commissioning his work. One painting, of Dan Burn, caught the attention of the Newcastle captain, who sent Jack a personal video message over X.
In the video, Dan Burn said: "I've just been shown the art. I thought it was amazing. I just want to say a big thank you mate, very honoured that you've done that." He added: "I hope that you are well and looking after yourself mate. Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do anything because anything is possible and I thick you've shown that with the art you've done."
Community support and a message of hope
Jack and his mother Sara are now determined to get a print of the artwork to Dan Burn. Speaking to ChronicleLive, Sara said: "The community of fans have helped Jack to not just feel like he is part of a team but they have brought him a smile upon on his face. Health is much more than a game. The painting of Dan Burn was done to show a close connection of him celebrating a moment in time and what it means to celebrate goals on a day to day basis."
Before his epilepsy worsened, Jack used to attend matches at the Stadium of Light, but he has recently become afraid to go to any matches due to fear of having a seizure. Sara added: "To feel like he is still part of a crowd of football fans he paints the players for fans. Jack enjoys meeting the fans when they collect their artwork and he interacts with them by shaking hands signing thank you and handing his work over."
She said: "We watched the video [from Dan Burn] after the stay in hospital. My mum and I cried, we both felt that even though Dan Burn does not know who we are that he understood our predicament and how Jack’s life is currently limited due to his illness. Jack has watched the video too and he has immediately said Dan understands me."
Art as a way to express and connect
Jack said: "The uncertainty of seizures can be challenging, influencing how I experience the world and how I see myself. Through art, I have found a way to express emotions, experiences, and thoughts that are often difficult to explain with words alone. My artwork reflects both the struggles and strengths that come with living with epilepsy. Some pieces explore feelings of vulnerability, confusion, and isolation, while others celebrate resilience, hope, and determination. The use of colour, texture, and movement allows me to communicate the unpredictability of seizures and the impact they have on my life."
Jack also shared a message he hopes to reach Dan Burn: "Dan, when I was at my lowest, your encouragement helped lift me up. Thank you for your support, your kindness, and for reminding me to keep fighting."
His art tutor, Lewis Hobson, said Sara first connected with him because Jack was interested in spray painting and street art. The pair now meet for weekly lessons. Lewis said: "I think Jack really just really likes when people appreciate and engage with his work. Obviously football is a huge part of the North East, so even though he's a Sunderland fan, he just really loves to do stuff that is going to be really meaningful to people."
Lewis noted the impact art has had on Jack. He added: "We've been working consistently together week by week and I've got to know him, and even though because of his autism we don't talk to communicate and he's never spoke a word to me - we've learned about each other and we’re really good at working together and he's such a pleasure to work with. He's a really lovely lad. He's come on loads as our relationships developed and I've tried to teach him as much as I can and give him some independence and just try and make each lesson really fun for him."
Lewis added: "I think people can really tell how passionate he is about his art. They're really encouraging and football is really good for that, people will support each other and it's not just about the game, it's about the communities, so Jack definitely feels part of that."
Jack's artwork can be followed on his X page.
