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Sports and athletics have been represented in a multitude of ways throughout art history. But unlike in literature or film, visual art has been notorious for providing harsh critical commentary on sports and its relationship to our culture as a whole. Underneath the glory and fame associated with athletic merit, there are underlying issues relating to race, class, and exploitation that artists often discuss in their works.
Boxing has always had a rich and colorful history, both in its showy, prizefight aesthetics and outlandish characters. Dazzling and disturbing, boxing has become a force of its own in the art world. A new book from Damiani and Paul Kasmin Gallery, Boxed: A Visual History and the Art of Boxing, captures some of the best works in art history on the glory of boxing. We chose pieces from the new release along with other famous works for our list of The Best Examples of Boxing in Art.
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Gold Teeth (Mike Tyson on Plane to Japan) by Lori Grinker, 1988
This photograph of Mike Tyson's golden teeth is hazy and indulgent, much like the vices involved with the fame and capital of his career. Documentary photographer Lori Grinker spent ten years photographing the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world, collecting images from training to intimate moments with his loved ones.
...All You Heard Was 'Poppa, Don't Hit Me No More!' (Or Momma...Take Your Pick) by Iona Rozeal Brown, 2013
Iona Rozeal Brown is an artist known for a style that pulls from Japanese ukiyo-e prints and hip-hop elements. Her painting ...All You Heard Was 'Poppa, Don't Hit Me No More!' (Or Momma...Take Your Pick) pairs her graphic aesthetic with the heavy nature of fighting. A depiction of domestic abuse, the swollen eye of the subject and the bloody boxing gloves portray more than glory and strength. With the interchangeable gender of the title, this painting is truly a powerful message wrapped in a rich color scheme.
Google Portrait—Sports Moment by Ken Solomon, 2011
Ken Solomon's painting Google Portrait—Sports Moment explores the voyeuristic and sensational nature of both the Internet and sports. Solomon's series of "Google Portraits" range from artistic to disturbing. A gruesome boxing shot is featured in this work as well.
Work Out by Libby Black, 2007
Work Out is an installation by artist Libby Black that plays with the ideas of materialism and our obsession with aesthetics. The mirrored room is filled with objects like Chanel weights, a pink Hermès punching bag, and paper mâché Gucci boxing gloves.
Skeleton with Boxing Gloves and Crate by Jeanne Silverthorne, 2012
Skeletal artwork is always an elegant yet dark choice. Jeanne Silverthorne's Skeleton with Boxing Gloves and Crate is just that. Made of Silverthorne's signature medium, rubber, the skeleton sculpture slouches forward, as if weighed down by the black gloves covering its phalanges.
To Be Twenty in Iran by Newsha Tavakolian, 2010
To Be Twenty in Iran is a self-portrait by Newsha Tavakolian. The Iranian photographer poses in all black attire in front of a bland skyline. Her use of red boxing gloves drastically accents the rosy hues of her face and the red streetlights of the city, creating a dynamic viewing experience. More than just a pretty picture, Tavakolian's photograph is a commentary on Muslim womanhood and identity.
Boxing Painting by Ushio Shinohara, 2006
Ushio Shinohara is a Japanese artist associated with the Neo-Dada movement, which stems from the early 20th century avant-garde, nonsensical Dada movement. Shinohara's Boxing Painting is a gestural abstraction, or action painting. The piece is more concerned with the action and visceral energy placed into the creation rather than the aesthetic outcome. Boxing is made an immediate medium in his piece.
Boxer by Ed Ruscha, 1979
Boxer is almost therapeutic in its simplicity, yet holds the viewer's attention. Ed Ruscha's distorted, white lettering is centered upon a sunset backdrop of warm oranges and deep reds that remind you of paradise. By pairing an image with a word that doesn't describe that image, Ruscha throws a simple piece into mental chaos.
Untitled (Boxing Island) by Yoshitoma Nara, 2004
Yoshitoma Nara is a Japanese artist formerly at the forefront of Japan's pop art movement in the '90s. Using cartoonish lines and endearing characters, Nara has earned an almost cult-like following for his bizarre and intriguing pieces. Boxing Island depicts a little girl with bright red boxing gloves, an image that, like much of his work, is both adorable and strange.
Untitled (Single Boxer) by Hew Locke, 2011
Gold and black pen on white paper are all the materials used for this captivating drawing. British sculpture and contemporary visual artist Hew Locke fleshes out the vivacious energy of a boxer through graphic details and golden highlights.
Ice Cube's Eyes by Glenn Ligon, 1995
This piece is self-explanatory: Ice Cube's eyes silkscreened on a white canvas punching bag. Glenn Ligon, an American artist, is known to explore race, sexuality, identity, and intertextuality in his conceptual works. Ice Cube's Eyes is a piece that just dares you to come any closer.
Roy Jones Jr. With Fighting Cock by Cheryl Dunn, 2000
This photograph depicts undisputed light heavyweight champion Roy Jones, Jr. holding one of his fighting cocks. He raises fighting cocks and pit bulls on his ranch in Pensicola, Florida. Cheryl Dunn, documentary filmmaker and photographer, achieved this earnest yet intimidating shot with dramatic shadows and glistening sunlight that contours her subject's muscular frame.
Untitled by Christopher Wool, 1988
Christopher Wool is a contemporary artist best known for his large, black stenciled lettering and rollers on white canvas. Using Muhammad Ali's famous expression, "Float like a butterfly sting like a bee," Wool derives the power of the artwork from typography and language.
Everforeward....(Neverback) by Gary Simmons, 1993
This clean, fresh photograph is the work of New York City-based artist Gary Simmons. Using nothing but soft, overhead lighting and a golden accent, Simmons draws your attention to the inspirational message replacing the classic boxing Everlast logo: "Everforeward, Neverback."
Boxer Naranja by Ed Paschke, 2004
Boxer Naranja (naranja meaning "orange" in Spanish), is one of Ed Paschke's Neo-Expressionist works. The colorful composition, centered around orange hues, creates an distortion to the subject's humanity. This creates an intimate space between the defensive mood of the green-faced boxer and the viewer.
Marquis de Sade by Erwin Blumenfeld, 1921
Marquis de Sade was created by German artist and photographer Erwin Blumenfeld. Though widely known for his fashion photography in outlets like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar throughout the '40s and '50s, this early collage showcases his refined composition and talents with abstraction.
Ten Punching Bags (Last Supper) by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat, 1985-1986
This epic sculpture by art world powerhouses and friends Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol was produced from their collaborative series of paintings in the '80s. Using acrylic paint and punching bags, the two recreated Leonardo da Vinci's The Last Supper, but with Christ as the central image. In the creative process, Warhol painted first and then allowed Basquiat to embellish the work.
Spiritual by Taner Ceylan, 2008
Turkish artist Taner Ceylan's painting Spiritual is both highly realistic and dream-like. The soft colors contrasted with the bright violence of the blood makes for a beautiful yet gritty subject. The boxer's hands seem to be in motion, and his face is the only thing in focus, making the audience feel as if we are with him in the ring.
Untitled (Boxer) by Jean-Michel Basquiat, 2005
True to Basquiat's intoxicating style, Untitled (Boxer) is loud and full of chaotic, masculine energy. The artist focused on boxing quite frequently throughout his career. In the painting, a boxer stands with his arms above his head. This allowed Basquiat to play with form and detail in a bold, graffiti-like manner. This painting was sold at auction for $13.5 million in 2008.
Basquiat Portrait 'SAMOKing' by O O
Street artist O O has been selling his paintings and collages in SoHo for about four years. This portrait of Basquiat is both aesthetically stunning and highly symbolic. Also known as Basquiat Takes on the World, the painting depicts the iconic street artist wearing boxing gear inscribed with the words "Immortal," "Gasoline," and "Empathy." Basquiat also sports a graffiti-esque halo, relaying him as a holy figure.
Muhammad Ali by Andy Warhol, 1978
This colorful Warhol screen print memorializes one of America's greatest boxers in history. As part of his "Athletes" series, Warhol created prints of Muhammad Ali and other superstar athletes, despite his unfamiliarity in the field. Though Warhol initially struggled with Ali's prints, he worked paint into the surface to create the impression of movement, and captured the concentrated stare characteristic of a fight.
Didn't Have a Prayer by Randy Hayes, 1984
Didn't Have a Prayer is a piece from contemporary artist Randy Hayes' boxing series. The stark, abstracted figure of a boxer post-fight leaves the viewer with a feeling of loss.
Glancing Blows by Randy Hayes, 1981-1983
Another piece from Hayes' boxing series, Glancing Blows is unique in that its central focus is on the ring girl. Hayes' sketchy style and cold hues illuminate the girl's eye as she stares back at the audience during an in-between moment at the ring.
Boxeur by Malick Sidibé, 1966
This gorgeous black and white print is the work of famed contemporary African American photographer, Malick Sibidé. The use of simple lines, flash, and flesh tones draws the viewer's attention towards the emotional state of the boxer. His facial expression and body language stand out against the minimal foreground and background.
Dempsey and Firpo by George Bellows, 1924
This painting by George Bellows is considered one of the greatest American sports painting in history. Created over several months from 1923 to 1924, the painting depicts the famous fight between ongoing boxing champion Jack Dempsey and top heavyweight Luis Ángel Firpo, also known as "El Toro de las Pampas." It was the first time a Latin American boxer fought for the world Heavyweight title. Though Dempsey came out as victorious, the painting depicts Firpo knocking Dempsey to the ground.