**FRAMING AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST**

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.

Ellison has contributed a suite of original paintings, stemming from a new body of works inspired by the recent Olympics in Paris, to benefit AFC’s initiative in support of reforestation efforts. In Ingebrigsten, Kerr, Nuguse and Hocker Battle for Gold, the namesake athletes are depicted sprinting alongside one another before an abstracted, charcoal background. In the artist’s own words, “I relate to the runner. You are out there on your own; you have nothing but yourself. It takes a lot of grit and perseverance to keep pushing even as you tire. I think that the painting process is similar to running. You have to know when to kick hard, and to go for it when the opportunity presents itself. Stepping away from fear and into fluency—where you trust your body and hand—will take you where it needs to go.”

Shaun Ellison
Ingebrigsten, Kerr, Nuguse and Hocker Battle for Gold, 2024
9 x 12 inches
Acrylic on paper
Original painting

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.

*International customers are responsible for applicable duties and taxes including VAT fees.
*Unframed prints ship within 1-3 weeks.
*Framed prints ship within 3-6 weeks.

Shaun Ellison, Ingebrigsten, Kerr, Nuguse and Hocker Battle for Gold, 2024; Original Work