Flying high, an exhibition of ambitious new paintings by Tyler Ballon opens at Jeffrey Deitch on March 8, 2025. In stead of a traditional press release, we are sharing the artist’s own statement, a heartfelt exploration of his work, his community, and the inspirations that shaped this exhibition:

My work focuses on the lives and expe riences of the people in my community. I believe in capturing moments that can inspire and validate their existence, ex tending their stories beyond geographic and temporal boundaries. I want young people to see themselves as worthy of being immortalized in art—a recognition that transcends time.

In this body of work, I explore the intersection of sports, identity, and history. While creating these paintings, I realized there is an interesting dichotomy between sports being a tool for success and having Black bodies being used to advance America’s ambition. My 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, paral lels military ideologies, offering young men an avenue to channel their aggression, build camara derie and find fulfillment. I intentionally chose the football team I portrayed, Abraham Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey, as a metaphorical regiment—a tribute to the Black Civil War vet erans 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.

Marching bands, historically used to command troops conveying orders and signals, play a central role in this narrative. As warfare evolved over time, marching bands began to take on a different function, becoming responsible for boosting morale, inspiring discipline and unity with uplifting mel odies. Marching bands started adopting uniform designs that mirrored those of soldiers.

I choose to portray the marching band of Malcom X Shabazz High School for their renown excellence in performance, their New Jersey roots, and their namesake, Malcom X, a pivotal leader during the Civil Rights Movement whose ideology helped shape African American culture and history. Although almost a century later, his ideology channeled the mindset of the troops of the Civil War, fighting and defending themselves by any means necessary.

The exhibition title, Flying high, reflects the aspiration to rise above the adversities of the inner city. These football fields, located within urban communities, become the place for young athletes to strive for a better future. Sports, with its principles of discipline and teamwork, often mirrors the challenges of life. My paintings celebrate these young individuals who push through obstacles to achieve greatness.

Through these new paintings, I aim to excavate African American history while paying homage to our predecessors. Black Civil War troops fought for the citizenship and freedom we now fight to uphold. The children in these paintings are a testament to progress and a source of hope for the future.

The painting reproduced above, Bear arms/Second amendment (2024-25), was inspired by Edouard Manet’s The execution of Emperor Maximilian (1867). My painting depicts three young Black men protecting three young Black women—cheerleaders presented with dignity rather than objectifica tion. Seeing a gun pointed at a person of color is something that’s familiar to American history. But having an African American man holding a rifle is distinctively different. The work challenges perceptions of Black men bearing arms, reclaiming their image as patriots and protectors, and pays homage to the Civil War troops.

Tyler Ballon (b. 1996, Jersey City, NJ) creates monumental works inspired by the lives of people in his community. His artistic journey was shaped early on by his grandmother, a community activist and school lunch lady who embodied service and compassion. Tyler’s grandmother recognized his talent and instilled in him a respect for others, regardless of their circumstances.

Though initially torn between sports and art, Tyler chose the latter, dedicating himself to painting with the encouragement of his grandmother and his family. His parents, both pastors, reinforced his faith and sense of purpose. Tyler refined his skills through an advanced art program in his high school—the JC Arts program—and later at the Maryland Institute College of Art, where he earned his BFA in 2018.

After graduation, Tyler returned to his community, making its people the focal point of his work. Through large-scale paintings, he honors their lives and experiences, ensuring they are seen and celebrated. His art embodies his faith, principles, and the legacy of his grandmother, offering en couragement and validation to those around him.

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.