Touchdown 1973

LeRoy Neiman made this image, Touchdown, probably a print of some kind, I’m guessing, from the look of the flat colour. It’s a jumble of bodies and colours, a chaotic scene depicting American football. I really love the yellow in this print, and the way the other colours are all layered on top. The dark blue and purple colours are very satisfying. I’m also a fan of the mark making: it looks like Neiman used quick, loose brushstrokes to create a sense of movement and energy. There’s something very appealing about the way Neiman captures the physicality and intensity of the game. The players are all tangled up, limbs flying, and you can almost feel the impact of their bodies colliding. It is reminiscent of Peter Max, in the way it captures a cultural obsession. Both artists create a really frenetic energy in their work, that leaves the viewer a little breathless! But that’s the beauty of art, right? It’s not about perfection, it’s about capturing a moment, a feeling, a mood.