**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. Hocker, Ingebrigsten, Cole and Nuguse In a Landscape depicts the namesake figures competing in the 1500 meter race. The gray, asphalt track is partially framed by a verdant patch of grass, which becomes the foreground to the three runners at the front of the athletic procession. In the artist’s own words, “Everyone, including the runners, was focused on the rivalry between Ingebrigtsen and Kerr, but Cole Hocker surprised us all by winning the gold medal. It epitomized the idea that anything is possible, and we need not count ourselves out because we perceive that we may not be good enough. Hocker’s win inspires us to know that we are more than what we or others perceive of us. If we set our mind to something, we can be victorious.”

Shaun Ellison
Hocker, Ingebrigsten, Cole and Nuguse In a Landscape, 2024
9 x 12 inches
Acrylic on Paper
Original painting

Of this series benefitting reforestation efforts, he notes, “Reforestation is a critical issue and I’m proud to play any role that I can in protecting the environment. I am excited to collaborate with ART FOR CHANGE on this front and knowing that the personal can continue to catalyze change.”

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.

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*Unframed prints ship within 1-3 weeks.
*Framed prints ship within 3-6 weeks.