Shaun Ellison, Coco Wins The Open 2023, 2026; Original Work

**This original work will launch Tuesday, August 25th. Please sign up for our newsletter for early access or email hello@artforchange.com to inquire.**

What began as a tool to process Shaun Ellison’s relationship to tennis has grown into a vibrant, evocative practice that captures the spontaneity and frailty of groups, success, and failure in sport. Born in South Africa and based in Brooklyn, New York, the artist brings unity to the inherent contradictions of tennis and its history. Within his works, color, expressive composition, and unexpected figures become means by which he comments on the diversity, rigor, and growth of sport and its cultural legacy. Ellison studied at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the School of Visual Arts, and the New York Studio School. While at Louisiana Lafayette, he played for the school’s Division 1 tennis team before competing professionally on the ATP Tour. The artist has presented solo exhibitions at Taymour Grahne Projects, London, United Kingdom, and Anna Zorina Gallery, New York, NY. 

Coco Wins The Open 2023 recalls the year when Coco Gauff won her first Grand Slam—notably at the young age of nineteen. The decorated athlete is framed by another player to the left, as well as the Queensboro Bridge which suspends over the Hudson River. Ellison intentionally brought New York’s cityscape into the composition, to emphasize how there is life outside of tennis even within the context of Gauff’s historic victory. The work stems from an ongoing series of paintings inspired by the artist’s experiences as an observer at the US Open at Flushing Meadows. In his own words, “As a tennis player myself, I relate to the lower ranked players that have to make their way up. The struggle of having to overcome feels relatable to what many of us face in our own lives. I appreciate the intimacy on the grounds court, which you don’t typically witness in the bigger stadiums, and also the buzz of the passionate New York crowd.”

Shaun Ellison
Coco Wins The Open 2023, 2026
Acrylic on paper
9 x 12 inches
$2,600
FRAMING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

As part of our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and charitable giving, we will plant 10 trees for each print sold.

Of ART FOR CHANGE’s initiative to support reforestation, the artist notes, “I am deeply invested in health, well-being, and sustainability. Air quality is important to me, as I am outdoors a lot. I also care about plant and animal life, and know that planting trees will help support biodiversity by providing habitats for different species. The more trees we have, the less likely soil erosion becomes; it is important to me that fruits and vegetables have the soil that they need.” 

*International customers are responsible for applicable duties and taxes including new VAT fees.