In boxing, when a coach or promoter stumbles upon a generational talent, their careers are meticulously curated to ensure the boxer rises the ranks strategically. The fighter will begin his first 20 or so bouts against hand-picked inferior opponents in local casinos, bingo halls, etc. where the journeyman has one job: help boost the prospect’s confidence by getting beat up in front of an unenthused crowd. This is the “quintessential” Tune-Up Fight - and it typically leaves the audience disappointed and wanting more.
I’ve been painting, sculpting, and boxing for exactly 10 years now. The first piece I created (Round 1, 2016 - on display here) wasn’t made in front of an audience. Gloves were strapped on in my parents’ backyard in U-City, the first pour of black latex paint hit the bag, and as you might expect, the earlier works were much more focused on capturing the movement, aggression, strikes - the enjoyable physicality of the work that happened to yield beautiful paintings > the concept.
As my obsession for painting and boxing increased, my growing knowledge of the sport allowed me to create a detailed framework for how I approach making this type of art. The preparation from an athletic and sporting perspective is significantly more important than any sort of background or knowledge in art history, colors etc (but as a true athlete, of course I’ll do some extra offseason work to sharpen this toolset). Most importantly - if you use a sport or theme like boxing - your work is voided like a failed drug test if you cannot prove you know the subject more than an ESPN anchor (eh, that is way too low of a bar - a 90s Ring Magazine beat writer from New Jersey). I preserve niche boxing details into my works that truly matter from both a conceptual and practical artmaking perspective.
THE ARTIST IS A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE.
I refuse to make paintings like these that do not hold up to the realism and integrity of the sport itself. The hooks, uppercuts, and even the (8-10 abs depending on the weight class I fight in) were created in the gym, not in an AI studio.
Everything you will see tonight was sourced from old gyms and top boxing brands around the world, auctions, places I’ve trained at, gifts from fighters, trainers, friends. I only paint with gloves I’d be comfortable wearing in an actual fight. I did an 8-week fight camp for this performance that you’re about to witness. While boxing may be the most corrupt sport, and fixed fights happen all the time, I will make one promise to my fans tonight. I may be Tuning Up my art career, but you will be seeing no mediocre opponents or unskilled work tonight for a mere confidence boost. I DON’T NEED ANYMORE CONFIDENCE! This is a decade of Hard Work and Dedication (and 8 weeks of eating nothing but grilled chicken and rice out of tupperware). Hope you enjoy the bout.
