Amanda Ba Rethinks the Power of Sport in New San Francisco Show

Summary

Micki Meng in San Francisco is currently presenting For Sport by Amanda Ba through June 27.
In a showcase of seven figurative paintings, Ba examines the cultural mythos embedded in sports, spectacle and athleticism.

Amidst the intensity of the NBA Finals, an exhibition titled “Stories Told Through Beloved Games” is now open in San Francisco, inviting us to ponder on the narratives embedded within popular sports. In this show at Micki Meng Gallery, Chinese-American artist Amanda Ba unveils her inaugural solo exhibit in the NorCal area with “For Sport“, using athletic imagery such as moving bodies and tensed muscles to delve into broader topics like identity, spectacle, and power.

The artwork presented here further develops themes from her “Developing Desire” exhibition held at Jeffrey Deitch last autumn, focusing this time on the intricate psychosexual aspects of competitive sports. This collection of seven figurative paintings introduces a fresh set of characters, including boxers, hunters, synchronized swimmers, basketball players, weightlifters, and skiers, who are all East Asian female protagonists. These figures exemplify both the tenacity and elegance inherent in their respective sports, challenging stereotypes about obedience and excessive femininity. They powerfully portray strength, autonomy, and emotional depth through their intensely muscular and passionate depictions.

In a recent conversation with Dazed magazine, Ba expressed that the Paris Olympics of last year served as a major motivator for her. She commented, “It’s a powerful demonstration of soft power on a national scale.” She further explained how it’s effortless for someone like herself to be swayed by the impressions of such moments and apply them to a broader perspective of an entire nation. In essence, significant events such as the Olympics act as stages where themes of heroism, aggression, and sensuality unfold in every gesture, every blow. Rather than simply reinforcing local or national pride, Ba is intrigued by how these competitions shape and distort cultural narratives and global rankings.

Key points are “Knockout I & II,” featuring two female boxers squaring off under stadium lights, showcasing a blend of brutality and grace reminiscent of battles outside the ring. Also noteworthy is “Hunters,” which portrays an individual journeying with beagles in tow. Equipped with a shotgun and adorned with the brim of a Sherlock-like hat, this piece straddles the line between a survival necessity (primitive activity) and recreation (done for sport).

The exhibition is now on view in San Francisco through June 27.

Micki Meng Bayview
1720 Armstrong Ave.,
San Francisco, CA 94124

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