CLEVELAND — If you're a fan of art and basketball, this is the exhibit for you. During NBA All-Star Weekend in Cleveland, fans can head to the Caxton Building, just three blocks from Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, and see the works of Hank Willis Thomas, a renowned Black artist who has partnered with the NBA and Bleacher Report for a new series of works titles "New Black Aesthetic."
The works, showcased in the exhibit during NBA All-Star Weekend, highlight the intersection of art and basketball.
What makes this series so unique is the median—five handmade quilts that each depict a legendary Black athlete from NBA history—Michael Jordan, Shaquille O'Neal, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Kobe Bryant—all of which centralize the league's logo.
But a sculpture of Juwan Howard's arm is a piece that you won't be able to miss. Thomas 3D scanned Howard's arm for the model.
"This is actually the first time it's been exhibited n this scale," Thomas said.
The exhibit is something that Thomas hopes will generate conversations about art, culture and how they intersect with the NBA.
"I really feel this is the beginning of a new conversation about empowerment in the league. Obviously, something that has always been discussed, but I think having artists as well as players and fans really pushing the discourse is great," Thomas said.
Open from Thursday until Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., fans can head to the Caxton Building located at 812 Huron Road to see the unique art display. Admission is free for all.
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