HEROES COLLECTION
This collection is the second iteration of Maxwell Pearce’s “Art of an Athlete” Series. The work focuses on the similarities of athletes and superheroes. Some of the most iconic sports moments feature athletes in super-human positions, similar to our favorite superheroes. Pearce took inspiration for his artwork from Spider-Man’s Miles Morales, Superman’s Calvin Ellis, DC Comics’ Nubia and Vixen, and more.
On a deeper level, athletes have huge platforms to enact change — impacting the lives of many. This collection looks at how superheroes act for the greater good and how athletes have the power to do the same. These pieces focus on breaking social stigmas, combatting racism, and the humanity of athletes.
“Forehand”
Pearce created “Forehand” to highlight athletes’ ability to break barriers — showing age and impact do not correlate in sports.
The piece completely made of basketballs and tennis balls is inspired by the rapid ascension of CoCo Gauff. She describes her game as “aggressive as possible.” Gauff has had several incidents where questionable calls pushed her to fight for herself and ultimately other tennis players. At a time when she’s not even old enough to drink, Gauff has already beat her tennis idol, Venus Williams, became the youngest girls’ single finalist in US Open junior history, and the youngest woman to win the US Open. Gauff has ushered in a new generation of Black female tennis players and although she’s the youngest, she’s leading the pack.
Pearce says the piece was also inspired by Spider-Man Miles Morales.
Superpowers:
The ability to break the barriers of age correlating to impact in sports
The ability to escape the identity of being pigeonholed into one sport
The ability to adopt intangibles from other sports (basketball) and implement them into their own
“Legacy is Timeless”
This piece highlights the power of legacy. Muhammad Ali made an indelible mark on what it means to be an athlete and an activist. His legacy as a boxer has compounded his impact as an activist. This piece addresses the calls for a Muhammad Ali statue to be erected in his birthplace of Louisville, Kentucky.
In 2017, a petition to dismantle a confederate monument in town and replace it with a statue that honors Ali began to circulate. This shows a legacy of impact and service will ultimately outweigh the legacy of oppression — solidifying a timeless legacy.
Superpowers:
Creating a legacy that cannot be overshadowed
Dismantling corrupt systems
Getting into “good trouble”
“Your Friendly, Neighborhood Activist”
Pearce created this piece entirely out of basketballs, a nod to himself and his career in this self-portrait. Inspired by his favorite superhero Spider-Man’s Miles Morales, this piece represents Pearce prioritizing the world he lives in and how sports can shape that. Further showing his identity is not limited to just a basketball player. Pearce’s promise to himself was that he would never disregard his humanity for the entertainment of sport.
Superpowers:
The ability to elevate the world we live in through basketball
The ability to control and influence the world
The ability to guard and defend their humanity
“Your Fault, Not Mine”
Pearce put together this piece with tennis balls, volleyballs, and basketballs. It gets to the heart of the vicious cycle young, bright Black women experience. Pearce drew on his knowledge of the harsh treatment athletes like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka and CoCo Jones receive in relation to their counterparts. Unfortunately, this sentiment is not only relegated to the tennis industry but other female athletes as well. Their ability to come out on top coupled with their character is what makes them invincible.
This piece speaks directly to Black women in sports and provides words of affirmation to combat what’s become normalized treatment. The tennis racket has two sides: one for combating stigmas and the other for gameplay.
Superpowers:
The ability to provide positive affirmation through excellence
The ability to always land on their feet
The ability to disrupt the status quo in style
“What is Confidence?”
Pearce recreated a photo from the most important event in his basketball carer — the ESPN College Slam Dunk Championship.
The artist wanted this piece made up of soccer balls, sneakers, plexiglass and basketballs to convey the complexities of confidence. Even at the top of your game, your confidence can waver. But to succeed, athletes have to appear confident, especially in times of adversity or uncertainty and where they have to rely on the practice they’ve put in.
Under the tinted helmet of this piece, there are clouds that signify Pearce battling the nervousness and surrendering to the skills he has developed for years. That directly contrasts his body among the stars on the outside.
Superpowers:
Using muscle memory to fight the feeling of nervousness
The ability to be vulnerable about wavering confidence
Using momentum to create a sense of delusional confidence
“Comfortable in Chaos”
This piece is created out of basketballs, footballs, and tennis balls. There is absolutely no paint on the canvas. Pearce took inspiration from Marvel Comics superhero Storm, brought to life by the only Black woman to win an Oscar for “Best Actress in a Leading Role” — Halle Berry.
Pearce uses this artwork to highlight all Black women in sports. In Pearce’s opinion, they deal with a lot of criticism because being a Black woman is inherently intersectional, which leaves them vulnerable to attacks rooted in misogyny and racism.
Superpowers:
The ability to leverage basketball to elevate the world that that they live in
The ability to control and influence people worldwide
The ability to guard and defend their humanity
“To be an Ally”
Pearce wants this artwork to challenge fellow athletes to use their platform to call for respect for those being mistreated.
Not only must Black athletes stand for their own communities, but they must fight for marginalized groups as well. Pearce feels when one community is wronged, it’s up to all of us to stand firm and protect them from harm — whether that’s in the form of physical harm or harsh rhetoric. This highlights the ability of certain athletes to lead without fear of judgment.
“Shatter the Stigma”
Pearce knows the type of consequences that can follow when athletes decide to pursue social justice causes. Many times when fans’ favorite athlete has a stance that may be unpopular, they are told to stick to sports. The current perception of athletes is in dire need of a revamp.
Pearce’s artwork made of basketballs, a basketball hoop, and encompassed by iridescent resin looks to highlight the stigmas athletes constantly battle against. It is no secret that beloved athletes with massive platforms can change the tides with a simple post. Their willingness to give charitably can make an entire fan base step up.
Pearce wants athletes to know they can be more than the ball they hold, more than their jersey numbers, and more than fans’ perceptions. And that call to action can provide life-changing resources to their community and beyond.
Superpowers:
The ability to leverage basketball to elevate the world they live in
The ability to influence fanbases
The ability enact change with a single post