Upon walking into the Yard Dog Gallery in Austin last month, I realized just how dope the art scene really is out there. The first of a number of collections to catch my eye in YD though, was Beats & Boxers. Tom Russell, an Austin-based singer/songwriter turned his sights to a different artistic medium for this project, creating a collection of paintings depicting two seemingly disparate sets of icons from 20th-century pop culture: beat poets and boxers. With images depicting Allen Ginsberg, Muhammad Ali and William S. Burroughs, among others, Beats & Boxers is a unique take on Americana. See the full collection or purchase here, or in person at Yard Dog in Austin.
America in the late 1960s sounds like it was a hell of an interesting place. War, political uprising, great music, art movements, drugs, and a lot of things changing fast. Fortunately, the late ’60s made for a golden age not only in art, but also in journalism, leaving us with some of the most iconic magazine covers of the 20th century. In my humble, the work of George Lois is about as dope as it gets. The subjects were iconic, and the artistic statement dug into the heart of the issue at stake, provoking thought and discussion. We need to get back to doing it like this. You can cop the collection with George Lois: The Esquire Covers @ MoMA, or learn more about the history behind the covers here.
To celebrate the 35th Anniversary of the Rumble In The Jungle, sports culture brand No Mas has partnered with three artists to create abstract interpretations of the historic event. Working with David Rathman, Jerome Lagarrigue, and James Blagden, each artist created their own visual interpretation of the event presenting it through their unique lense. Presented above is David Rathman’s interpretation. Hit the MORE for pieces by Lagarrigue and Blagden.
Becoming an icon can’t be easy. Yet somehow individuals can rise to such a level. In my humble, to the world of art, Andy Warhol is an icon. Coining the phrase, “15 minutes of fame,” is a minuscule contribution in comparison to all that he’s done for art, society and popular culture. Presented here are a selection of Polaroid shots Warhol did for friend Richard Weisman. Commisioning Warhol for the set, Weisman selected a collection of athletes for him to capture. Featuring images of Wayne Gretzky, Muhammad Ali, and O.J. Simpson to name a few, the collection is a rare assortment of some of sports greatest stars. Currently being exhibited at the Danziger Projects Gallery in New York City, these images are Warhol at his best.
A lot of people say Ali is the greatest. For a long time, I never believed them. I would be like, “Na, Tyson’s got Ali covered, he’s faster, hits harder, etc.” But then I realized what really separated Ali from every other boxer, and every other athlete. The mouthpiece. Ali’s ability to captivate an audience with his words is an unparalleled ability. I think sometimes you gotta be a little out of pocket if you want to be remembered. Ali was never trippin, and now we call him the greatest.
