TYLER BALLON: FLYING HIGH

Jeffrey Deitch is delighted to present Flying High, an exhibition of ambitious new paintings by Tyler Ballon.

March 8 – April 19, 2025

His work focuses on the lives and experiences of the people in his community. He believes in capturing moments that can inspire and validate their existence, extending their stories beyond geographic and temporal boundaries. He wants young people to see themselves as worthy of being immortalized in art—a recognition that transcends time.

In this body of work, he explores the intersection of sports, identity, and history. While creating these paintings, he realized there is an interesting dichotomy between sports being a tool for success and having Black bodies being used to advance America’s ambition. His paintings challenge stereotypes that confine people of color to achieving success solely through physical prowess or musical talent. These works celebrate the resilience of young African Americans who carve out better lives using the resources available to them.

The work also embodies the spirit of patriotism. Football, a quintessentially American sport, parallels military ideologies, offering young men an avenue to channel their aggression, build camaraderie, and find fulfillment. He intentionally chose the football team he portrayed, Abraham Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, as a metaphorical regiment—a tribute to the Black Civil War veterans who fought for freedom and citizenship. The “Lincoln” emblazoned on their uniforms honors their legacy and symbolizes the progress African Americans have made since the Civil War. Football has also become a tool for these young men to further their educational ambitions.

Flying High is more than an exhibition—it is a tribute to the resilience, history, and aspirations of a community. Through these works, Tyler Ballon redefines the narrative of African American life, past and present, and offers a vision of hope and pride for the future.