Shaun Ellison, Djokovic vs Alcaraz, Wimbledon Final, 2023; Original Painting

**This painting is available via private sale. Please email hello@artforchange.com with your interest. 

What began as a tool to process South African artist Shaun Ellison’s relationship to the sport of tennis has grown into a vibrant, evocative practice that captures the spontaneity and fragility of groups, success and failure in sport. Based in Brooklyn, New York, the artist brings unity to many of the inherent contradictions of tennis and its history, and uses color, expressive composition, and unexpected figures and motifs to touch on the diversity, rigor and growth of the sport and its cultural legacy. Ellison studied at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, School of Visual Arts and NY Studio School. While at Louisiana Lafayette, the artist played for the school’s Division 1 tennis team before competing professionally on the ATP Tour. Recent exhibitions include Hit & Miss at Taymour Grahne Projects (London, UK).

The top of the third set in Djokovic vs. Alcaraz, Wimbledon Final, depicts the height of a grandstand gladiator duel. Serving for an advantage, an ominous spell of yellowing grass encroaches on Djokovic–a natural development after hours of sliding and pivoting across the baseline in the scorching July heat. The densely packed crowd is decidedly posh in their details, wearing Wimbledon whites, donning neckties and sports jackets against the signature forest green All England Club. The Rolex crown glows against the black of the scoreboard as Djokovic prepares the toss, and the clock ticks on. With his toes lifted and and line judges standing at attention, time is continually of the essence.

Shaun Ellison
Djokovic vs Alcaraz, Wimbledon Final, 2023
14 x 11 inches
Acrylic on canvas pad

Of this series benefitting reforestation efforts, he notes, “Reforestation is a critical issue and I’m proud to play any role that I can in protecting the environment. I am excited to collaborate with ART FOR CHANGE on this front and knowing that the personal can continue to catalyze change.”

ART FOR CHANGE will plant ten trees for each print sold to support reforestation efforts. As in all series, artists will receive 50% of the net proceeds of print sales.

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