Renowned Artist, Richard T. Slone, Has Unveiled His Latest Painting, A Huge Canvas of Miguel Cotto fighting Antonio Margarito unveiled days before their actual fight; Slone Originals to be on display at Mandalay Bay’s Memorabilia Museum in Las Vegas during Fight Week.
Las Vegas (July 22, 2008) – Multi-award winning artist Richard T. Slone has unveiled his latest work of art, a massive pre-fight canvas of boxing champions Miguel Cotto fighting Antonio Margarito just days before their epic battle in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Painterly lines and splashes make up the ferocious faces of Miguel Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs), a two-division world champion as he fires a solid left hook at two-time welterweight king Antonio Margarito, who in turn, fires a long straight right with bad intentions. It’s all on the line and these gladiators are fighting with their entire souls. Art fans are brought deep inside the ring with Slone’s latest masterpiece, simply titled ‘The Battle’.
Slone, the Official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, has envisioned the fight and depicted it in superb colors before the championship fight is set to take place Saturday, July 26th at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
34 year old Slone, a former boxer guided by legend Smokin’ Joe Frazier, has become one of the world’s premier young artists. In boxing, his work often graces the program covers for boxing’s elite events. The medley of colors and captured expression brings this canvas to life. The powerful flags of the Nations set the patriotic undertones for a fight of epic proportions. Slone’s choice of lines and color make this a bold statement and serve as a clear reminder why Slone was nominated for 2008 Sports Artist of the Year.
“Cotto vs. Margarito is gonna be a modern day classic. It has all the ingredients of a superfight and I truly can’t pick a winner. It is gonna be a war and both men are fighting with so much pride and that’s what I tried to convey in my painting, heart and soul.” The pride he speaks of is perhaps Nationalistic, Cotto hails from Puerto Rico and Margarito from Mexico – a fierce rivalry amongst prizefighters. Slone doesn’t let this pride escape on the canvas, both fighters flags are rendered as background in the painting, which art critic Victoria Goldstein describes as a masterpiece, “Slone is pushing the limits all the time. His work intrigues and pleases – the expressions and emotions he captured in this particular painting are exceptional and shows he’s maturing as an artist and taking risks with colors, the journey is exciting from the art worlds perspective.” said Goldstein.
Slone’s original painting will be on display at the Memorabilia Museum at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Resort during fight week. Slone has a permanent exhibit at the Museum where many of his originals and prints are sold.
“This is an exciting fight, it gets no bigger” said Slone “I wanted to express the excitement through my art and I hope the fans enjoy my pre-fight work” said Slone, who’s artwork is becoming a staple at high profile events around the globe. Collectors of his art range from celebrity clients and high-roller gamblers, to college kids who collect Slone designed apparel. Slone is best known for his vividly colored images that capture detailed expression and motion. Considered to be a leader in the new generation of sports artists, Slone follows a long tradition of artist’s who have painting boxing such as George Bellows, Thomas Eakins and in more recent decades, LeRoy Neiman.
Richard T. Slone has been hailed by the media as the next great artist. His work is widely collected by art collectors and high-society. Owners of his originals include Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela, Hugh Hefner and Muhammad Ali. He is the official artist of the International Boxing Hall of Fame, an official artist of the UFC and at only 34 years of age is one of the most accomplished emerging artist’s in the world. Earlier this year the National Geographic came to an agreement to publish his work over the next ten years. He is nominated for Sports Artist of the Year 2008.