This is an original art piece, handmade by the artist for the USTA’s Black Lives To The Front Original Art Exhibit at the 2020 US Open. This piece was displayed in the front row seats of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the 2020 US Open.
“My art is a celebration and recognition of our African heritage. This work in particular is a celebration and recognition of the black female athletes and their legacy in the sport. The yellow dress and the red flower is a reference to Althea Gibson when she won the championship. The character has a serene expression (serenity is the origin of the name Serena) and she’s holding the Earth and the planet next to Earth is Venus. Sloane Stephens has a foundation where she works for children working for a better world. The planet Earth is being transformed and the butterflies represent that too. Through the tennis, they all hold the world in their hands. This is the way I found to reassure that Black Lives Matter.”...Alexandre Keto
The USTA Foundation Incorporated is donating 50% of the net proceeds from the auctioning of this item to The National Council of Negro Women, in honor of the artist.
Bid now on this original piece of artwork and own a piece of Black Lives to the Front history from the 2020 US Open!
Artist: Alexandre Keto
Title: Legacy
Year created: 2020
Medium: Acrylic painting on canvas
Height (unframed, inches): 25
Width (unframed, inches): 17
Depth (unframed, inches): 3/16
This piece is signed by the artist.
Signed Area: front
Description of piece:
This piece will be in an acrylic shadow box with a 3 inch margin on each side and the dimensions framed are: height: 28 inches; width: 20 inches; depth: 2 inches). Background material that the art will be mounted to is a 9.3 oz linen canvas.
Artist bio:
Growing up in São Paulo, Brazil, Alexandre Keto’s masterpieces are heavily influenced by Samba, his spiritual Orisha worship, and by American graffiti. By creating this positive representation, it allows Keto to become closer to his mission which is to celebrate, reconnect, and value the African heritage. Keto creates art to spread his message of community in overlooked neighborhoods and sections of the world.