Propelled by a deeply inappropriate and racist live interview with Alabama television anchors in 2020, Maxwell Pearce channeled the ensuing tide of backlash and hate filled messages into an artistic celebration of Black athletes’ abilities to shape their own narrative beyond their careers in sports. Pearce made national news when he took a public stance on the racially insensitive incident by posting a social justice focused video on social media, which was widely viewed and covered by major media.

This collection is the second set of Maxwell Pearce’s ‘Art of an Athlete’ Series. Sports positions are identical to the way that our favorite superheroes move their bodies - so many of these pieces are inspired by movements from Miles Morales, Calvin Ellis, Nubia, Vixen, and more. This collection looks at how superheroes act for the greater good of the people and how athletes have their own superpowers to do the same. These pieces focus on breaking social stigmas, combating racism, and the humanity of athletes.

In partnership with the NFL and RISE, Maxwell Pearce hand-painted cleats and sneakers for four professional athletes to wear their shoes in Week 13 games during the NFL’s “My Cause My Cleats” initiative.