Burger King Olympic Basketball 1976

LeRoy Neiman made this painting, Burger King Olympic Basketball, with an explosion of juicy, bright color and thick marks that give the whole scene this feeling of total energy. I can imagine Neiman, brush in hand, trying to keep up with the speed and athleticism of the players, really feeling their movement. I bet he was totally energized by the scene in front of him. Look how the paint is applied—not trying to mimic reality but heightening it. The players are built up with gestural marks, conveying the immediacy and speed of the game. The surface is almost vibrating, right? Like the artist just captured a fleeting moment on the court, full of tension and dynamism. Neiman was inspired by the energy and intensity of sports. I feel like all painters are in conversation, and, here, Neiman totally owes a debt to Abstract Expressionism, but with a twist. It’s representational but with this wild, abstract energy!