Before the world got to know and love the larger-than-life persona of
Muhammad Ali, there lived a young, on-the-rise boxer named Cassius Clay, who, in those early years, had already begun to carve out his place as one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.
Back in 1963,
Sports Illustrated commissioned photojournalist Steve Schapiro to spend a total of five days with the spirited fighter. What transpired was an impressive selection of images from that visit — highlighted in a new book aptly titled
Ali. Schapiro snapped candid moments of the champ at home with his family and also out interacting within his community, some of which get printed for the first time ever. Retailing for $34 USD, you can pick up
Ali today via
Amazon.
The Vatican Museums have announced a career-spanning exhibition from pop artist
Andy Warhol next year. The event will coincide with the 25th anniversary of Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum, which will contribute artwork to the event.
Rome’s Braccio di Carlo Magno will host the exhibit, which will focus on Warhol’s religious works. The Vatican Museums’ director, Barbara Jatta, states, “We are very interested in exploring the artist’s spiritual side.” A devout Catholic, Warhol often spent his evenings working in the Church of Heavenly Rest’s homeless shelter and attended Mass at New York’s St. Vincent Ferrer church. Pieces at the exhibition will include Warhol’s da Vinci-inspired “Last Supper” series from 1986, memento mori canvases — like silkscreens of skulls — and films.
If you can’t make it to Italy in 2019, the Andy Warhol Museum will simultaneously host the showcase.
Banksy recently took to Instagram to unveil a new stencil painted on the dilapidated Scott Street Bridge in England’s Kingston-upon-Hull city. The satirical artwork ostensibly features a young boy brandishing a sword and shield while wearing a strainer on his head. Alongside the stencil is spraypainted text that relays “DRAW THE RAISED BRIDGE!” Collectively, the artwork marks the first Banksy piece in Hull.
