Shaun Ellison, 2021; Connors

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 frailty 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).

Connors captures the player abstracted from his environment and competition, with weeds sprouting around him in a moment of contemplation. The figure glows against the greens of the grass court—red highlights and undertones add a brightness and dimension even more striking than the can of Coke in his hand. Ellison’s loose, gestural strokes eschew definition and a distinct sense of place, in contrast with the pieces of cultural iconography that imbue the work with a forlorn nostalgia. A polo shirt with navy trim, tri-striped socks, frosted highlights and a metal lawn chair are now rarities at major matches and establishments, but a head hanging between one’s shoulders transcends temporal specificity. 

Connors, 2021
9 x 12 Inches Inches
Acrylic on paper

“I am deeply concerned about our planet, and I know that planting trees will help contribute to slowing down the effects of climate change,” says Ellison on the collaboration. “I have tried to recycle things I have around me and also used waste as part of my practice. I hope to keep bringing awareness to the effects of climate change through my work, and contributing toward improvements whenever I can.”

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

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