About this artwork
Warhol photographed the famous boxer, Muhammad Ali, in 1977 as part of his 'Athletes' series. The project was initiated by the art collector and sports enthusiast Richard Weisman. At first Warhol was unfamiliar with the sports stars but characteristic of his obsession with fame he recalled: “I really got to love the athletes because they are the really big stars”. Warhol captured a powerful shot with the boxer’s fists poised, ready to punch. In the screenprint used here Warhol, prior to printing the image, worked into the surface with paint creating the impression of movement. Ali’s fixated stare mimics the concentration he required during a fight. This poster is for an exhibition of the series at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, 1978.
Updated before 2020
see media-
artist:Andy Warhol (1928 - 1987) American
-
title:Athletes by Andy Warhol
-
date created:1978
-
materials:Lithograph on paper
-
measurements:75.40 x 50.20 cm (framed: 82.20 x 57.00 x 3.80 cm)
-
object type:
-
credit line:ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
-
accession number:AR00389
-
gallery:
Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol
Andy Warhol was born 'Andrew Warhola' to Slovakian immigrant parents living in Pittsburgh in America. Warhol's subject matter was taken from popular culture, in the form of advertising, comics, magazines and packaging. He was able to produce his works quickly by transferring images onto canvas or...