Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing

Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing presents a critical look at the sport of boxing through a variety of artistic media. Featuring over 100 artworks spanning from the late 19th century to present day, this dynamic presentation is the largest comprehensive survey of artwork depicting the global sport and its cultural impact. Strike Fast, Dance Lightly illuminates the connections between boxing and artists, and underscores the rich history of a centuries-old sport and its influence on artistic movements.

The exhibition showcases artworks that directly reference the sport, and its legends, while presenting artworks that explore nuanced and intimate moments surrounding the fight. Strike Fast Dance Lightly unpacks the rich intersections of art and boxing — locating the work in explorations of spectacle, the body, psychology, storytelling, and politics. The aesthetics of boxing stand in for gestures of power, activism, emotional experience, and the human desire to continue to fight for justice.

Curated by Arden Sherman, Glenn W. and Cornelia T. Bailey Senior Curator of Contemporary Art.

 Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing is organized in partnership among The Church, Sag Harbor, NY, The FLAG Art Foundation, New York, NY, and the Norton Museum of Art, West Palm Beach, FL.

Leading support for this exhibition at the Norton was provided by Lew and Ali Sanders - In Honor of Howard and Judie Ganek, and Judy and Leonard Lauder.

Major support was provided by Heidi and Thomas McWilliams, The Ellen and Ian Graham Charitable Foundation Endowment for Photography, the Priscilla and John Richman Endowment for American Art, and  the Hartfield Foundation.

Additional support was provided by The Lunder Foundation - Peter and Paula Lunder Family, the Milton and Sheila Fine Endowment for Contemporary Art, and Anonymous.

Sponsored in part by the Board of County Commissioners, the Tourist Development Council, and the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County.