IS football Only A Game? To coincide with this summer's Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal, Impressions Gallery curator Anne McNeill will present an exhibition by contemporary artists who draw upon ideas, imagery and experiences of Pele's "beautiful game".

Work by Marcus Coates, Ravi Deepres, Julian Germain and Julie Henry will be on show from May 1 to July 3 in the York gallery, alongside the specially- commissioned installation Meet The Mascots.

Introducing the exhibition, Anne says: "Exploring notions of cultural identity and nationalism, Only A Game? pays homage to fans and football's working-class heritage and is underpinned with a healthy sense of impudence towards the corporate mentality that has invaded the modern game. The show should appeal to football fans and gallery visitors alike."

Digital artist Marcus Coates takes the football supporter out of his usual habitat and places him in the incongruous environment of a forest glade in the video Out Of Seasons. Chanting the tribal songs of Chelsea to the counterpoint of bird-song, he acts out the explicit language and gestures of the terraces, mirroring voices that resonate around stadiums up and down the country every Saturday afternoon.

In his hypnotic photo and video installation, Patriots, Ravi Deepres focuses on a Japanese crowd of fans walking towards the camera, covered in sponsorship logos, carrying cameras and wearing (mostly English) football shirts. The footage is slowed down to give the impression of a herd of animals. "Deepres's images document the tribalistic iconography of football culture, exploring the dynamics of individual and group identities among supporters," says the curator.

For Going Down, Julie Henry spent nine months at Crystal Palace during the South East London club's last season in the Premiership. Her photographs show the full range of emotions - hope, euphoria, sadness, loss and eventual "death" by relegation - experienced by Palace fans in that dismal 1997-98 season. "Presented as a kind of hymn book with accompanying song sheets, Henry's work shows the extreme actions and reactions of football supporters in a quasi-religious fashion," says McNeill.

Julian Germain's Superheroes Eleven takes the form of trophies in a cabinet depicting the story of one boy's obsession to transform a standard team of Subbuteo footballers into a team of invincible heroes. Centre forward Robin, for example, is "an acrobatic and enthusiastic boy wonder: a fantastically skilful but occasionally impetuous striker"; full back Captain America is "stronger, faster and more agile than an Olympic athlete: incredible stamina; never-say-die attitude".

Impressions' own contribution to Only A Game? is the Meet The Mascots installation. Conceived by Anne McNeill, it will turn the gallery space into a photographic shrine to mascots from clubs at every level.

To accompany the exhibition, Anne McNeill and Rick Minter will give a 90-minute talk on the opening day of Euro 2004 on June 12. Kick-off is at 2pm, ensuring the event will finish in plenty of time for the first game later that day. Celtic fan McNeill will discuss the concepts behind the show and reflect upon her life-long love of football; Minter, who writes the Guardian's Meet The Mascot column, will present an illustrated talk, Mascots - Fur And Attitude, to tie in with the summer publication of his book Mascots by Tempus. Tickets are free, but booking is essential on 01904 654724 or by email to enquiries@impressions-gallery.com

Impressions Gallery, in Castlegate, York, is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 5.30pm; admission free.

Updated: 09:15 Friday, April 09, 2004