The jersey. Arguably the most iconic and unifying element of sports culture. Simply, a jersey is symbolic of its athlete, who dedicates his or her life to their respective sport. But looking beyond that and the whatever thread-count which it is made of, the jersey is a collection of every shed tear, drop of blood and bead of sweat that has emerged as a result of an athlete’s undying dedication and countless hours of hard work.
At the end of the day – win or lose – a player’s jersey will always remain; almost getting stronger with every moment spent being worn; as if it lives by its owner, by the toll of an entire season – including every single moment from the bottom of the barrel to the top of the world. Yes, jerseys will be washed, sold and framed, but the significance of it lies deeper than that. Rather, the combination of the player’s name, number and most importantly their team, is what creates that sense of priceless value.
Instead of a simple portrayal through an abstract or meticulous art forms, a jersey is an artistic representation of an athlete that cannot necessarily be seen or understood with the just the naked eye.
However, while millions of jerseys can be found hanging or framed in bars, homes, galleries and restaurants worldwide, a Los Angeles-based artist has found a unique way to showcase the true elements that create one, allowing us to visualize just how meaningful a jersey truly is.
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