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11 Dec 2024
Volery Gallery proudly presents Life in the Fast Lane, the first solo exhibition in Dubai and the Middle East by acclaimed American artist Tyrrell Winston. This much-anticipated showcase brings together Winston’s unique artistic vision, blending sports culture and personal narrative into a thought-provoking collection.
Known for transforming overlooked relics like deflated basketballs and cigarette butts into powerful artistic statements, Winston examines the unseen sacrifices behind greatness in both athletics and art. Winston’s Dubai debut is about an unforgettable exploration of perseverance, identity, and the poetry found in everyday life.
Featuring 10 new “punishment paintings” (read about those below) and two of his iconic basketball installations, the exhibition invites viewers into Winston’s world, where discarded objects become vessels of profound storytelling. I had a chance to speak with Tyrell himself and Rom Levy, the founder of the gallery, and you, catch the last chance to witness the world-known pieces until the December 12. Keep on reading!
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— Your exhibition draws parallels between athletes and artists. What inspired you to explore this connection, and how does it manifest in your "punishment paintings" and basketball installations?
Tyrell: The parallels between art history and sports history are often overlooked or not explored in tandem. I find the language between the two to be exhilarating. The through line between the basketball installations and the punishment paintings is the idea of embedded history. The basketballs are either used or found and there have been countless other hands that have been a part of their story. In the same vein, there is no better representation of someone’s hand than their signature/autograph. Furthermore, the idea of “punishment” is present for both the artist and the athlete — be it training, repetition, mortality or criticism.
— This is your debut in the Middle East. How is everything so far? Do you like the reaction you are getting?
Tyrell: What an incredibly warm and exciting welcome it has been. It is always invigorating to show in a new country, and I do believe the Middle East has been underserved in regards to contemporary art. Rom from Volery Gallery helped set the stage for a previously uncharted region for me to engage with my work via commissioning a short film on my practice, an intimate collectors dinner on a basketball court and a discussion that he moderated between myself and 3.Paradis Creative Director, Emeric Tchatchoua.
— Rom, having not only Tyrell, but also Emeric Tchatchoua at the opening, how does the intersection of art, fashion, and sports amplify the exhibition’s themes?
Rom: The presence of someone like Emeric Tchatchoua highlights the powerful synergy between art, fashion, and sports. These realms all serve as platforms for self-expression and storytelling, transcending cultural and social boundaries. This exhibition explores themes of identity, perseverance, and cultural dialogue, values that are deeply embedded in both sports and fashion. Having Emeric, who masterfully combines these elements in his work, helps amplify the message and opens a broader conversation about how these industries inspire and influence one another.
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— The exhibition invites viewers to reconsider the value of discarded objects. Could you discuss the stories or emotions tied to the objects you selected for this show?
Tyrell: I am interested in the idea of resurrection (not in the religious sense). But taking something that is forgotten, discarded, kitsch and giving it meaning, giving it value. A lot of my work puts a lens on things that we might overlook but the context around the objects is changed so that they become unavoidable. Love it or hate it, you will pay attention to it.
— Did you play sports as a teenager? Which ones? Basketball/football aka soccer maybe? Do you still play it now?
Tyrell: I played basketball and skateboarded. Outside of family those were arguably my first two loves.
— Which sports do you like watching now? Any athletes that you follow? Maybe favourite teams?
Tyrell: Basketball, baseball, American football (both professional and collegiate), and I have even begun to follow European football. In terms of athletes that I follow, it is ever-changing. Currently, Aaron Judge (New York Yankees), Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings), and a bunch of NBA players including Lebron James (Los Angeles Lakers), Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks), Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Donovan Mitchell (Cleveland Cavaliers), and the list goes on.
My favourite professional sports franchise of all-time is the New York Yankees. I have the Yankees logo tattooed on my chest. Though living in Detroit I will root for the Tigers, unless they play the Yankees. The Los Angeles Clippers are my favourite basketball team. I grew up in Orange County California and while most people chose to root for the Lakers, I opted for the Clippers. And since moving to Detroit almost three years ago I have become a gigantic Detroit Lions fan.
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— Tyrell, your work often revolves around resilience and hidden sacrifices. What do you hope visitors take away about these universal struggles through the lens of your art?
Tyrell: There is a lot of beauty in the overlooked and there is redemption through sacrifice.
— Rom, and being the local gallery owner, what do you hope to bring to Dubai with such an exhibition?
Rom: With this exhibition, I aim to bring a fresh narrative to Dubai’s art scene — one that connects the global with the local, blending contemporary culture with universal themes. Dubai is a melting pot of diversity, and this show reflects that dynamic energy by bridging different disciplines and perspectives. Ultimately, Volery Gallery hopes to inspire audiences, foster cultural exchange, and contribute to Dubai’s growth as a leading hub for art, creativity, and innovation.
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