Jonas Wood's Sports Cards series is an intriguing blend of his personal interests in sports and his artistic practice, illustrating the profound connections between sports, art, and personal history. Wood's fascination with sports, particularly basketball, and athletes like Roger Federer, is not just about the thrill of competition but also relates to his own process as an artist, focusing on practice, discipline, and the pursuit of excellence (Phaidon). His choice to paint sports figures stemmed from a desire for accessible subjects that differed from his family portraits, allowing him to explore a theme that was both personally resonant and widely relatable (Phaidon).
Wood's upbringing in Boston during the 1980s, a golden era for the C
eltics, played a significant role in shaping his interest in sports imagery. This background, coupled with his recognition of the built-in components of sports imagery—such as stripes, colors, and shapes—perfectly complements his style, characterized by bright colors and sharp lines. It’s fascinating how Wood sees parallels between the discipline in sports and art, noting the extensive practice required in both fields to excel (Phaidon).
His approach to the Sports Cards series and sports themes in general is not just about capturing the likeness of athletes but also exploring the visual elements that sports offer—simplification, color, and geometric patterns. This series, alongside his broader work, reflects Wood's commitment to merging art with life, a theme underscored by Helen Molesworth, who notes the clear parallels between the disciplines of art and sports, highlighting both fields’ demands for natural talent and rigorous training (Phaidon).
Furthermore, Wood’s art is influenced by his life experiences and his environment, including his significant relationships, such as with his wife, Shio Kusaka, a ceramicist whose works frequently appear in Wood's still lifes. This collaborative aspect of their personal and professional lives adds a rich layer of intimacy and interconnectedness to Wood’s art, providing a unique insight into his daily life and the objects and themes that inspire him (Wikipedia) (Phaidon).
In creating the Sports Cards series and his other works, Wood emphasizes the importance of staying true to one’s vision and interests, resisting the pressures of market demands to maintain creative freedom and integrity. His narrative offers a compelling look at the intersections between personal passion, artistic practice, and the broader cultural phenomena of sports and art (Artnet News).