Legendary artist Leroy Neiman pays tribute to golf’s premier event by commemorating 39th Ryder Cup with a classic painting
The Official Ryder Cup Artwork consists of a 250 piece limited edition serigraph that sells for $3000, signed and unsigned commemorative poster editions ($250 and $50), note card sets, invitations and postcards. A special Dual Signed Captain’s Edition co-signed by Ryder Cup Captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal is limited to 100 hand signed pieces and available for $750 and will be debuted at the PGA Merchandise Show- Booth 2177.
Neiman’s Ryder Cup artwork captures the drama of the biennial competition between the finest golfers representing the United States and Europe as the teams tee off in the pivotal Sunday singles matches. The painting features Medinah’s legendary Byzantine-style clubhouse and signature putting green full of activity and anticipation of the unfolding scene. The original painting measures 4′ x 6’and its scale is a testament to its subject matter.
Neiman also was the artist for the 2008 Ryder Cup at Valhalla Golf Club and was so taken with the pageantry and stirring drama of the United States team’s unprecedented victory that he readily agreed to paint Medinah. The 2012 Ryder Cup is the first new commission Neiman has accepted and it underlines the strong international appeal of golf’s premier event as well as his longstanding fondness and ties to Chicago.
“To have a chance to paint Medinah Country Club and to give something back to the city of Chicago where I have so many great friends and fond memories,” says Neiman, “is truly an honor and inspired me to create a monumental painting.”
Best known for his brilliantly colored, stunningly energetic paintings of sporting events and leisure activities, Neiman is one of the few contemporary artists whose name has become a household word. He is a true American cultural icon. Golf holds a special fascination for Neiman, because, in his words, “You can’t help but be inspired by these talented players competing in such beautiful natural settings. It’s a total experience, a constantly changing drama.”
An instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago for 10 years early in his career, after studying there himself as a young art student, Neiman first gained wide recognition for his work with Hugh Hefner as a contributing artist for Playboy in the 1950’s and 1960’s, traveling the world and sketching signature events.
Neiman and his wife Janet have recently donated $5 million to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago to endow the LeRoy Neiman Student Center that will be located on the corner of Wabash and Monroe and will open in the spring of 2012 as the first student center in the long and storied history of SAIC.
Millions of people have watched Neiman at work on location at such diverse events as the Olympics, Super Bowl, Kentucky Derby, and all four of golf’s major championships, sketchbook in hand, producing split-second records and highly developed images of what he is witnessing.
His appearances in several of the Rocky films and his nearly 50 year artistic relationship with Muhammad Ali are among other career highlights. He has donated scores of his artworks to charitable causes and organizations, and in 1995, Neiman gave the School of the Arts at Columbia University a gift of $6 million to create the LeRoy Neiman Center for Print Studies.
Many of Neiman’s images of what he calls “the good life,” have been exhibited in major art galleries and are included in the permanent collections of public and private museums and other institutions worldwide.
The Official Ryder Cup Artwork consists of a 250 piece limited edition serigraph that sells for $3000, signed and unsigned commemorative poster editions ($250 and $50), note card sets, invitations and postcards. Managing Director Ben Isaacs of Cobalt Artworks has worked closely with Neiman for over 15 years, and Neiman is involved in every aspect of the creation and production of the Official Ryder Cup artwork.
For more information about the 2012 Official Ryder Cup Artwork please call (888) 450-2008 or visit us at Booth 2177 at the PGA Merchandise Show or online at www.cobaltartworks.com.
About Cobalt Artworks – Booth 2177 at the PGA Merchandise Show
Cobalt Artworks’ mission is to secure prestigious national and international rights, licenses and commissions for art-related projects and promotions. Cobalt Artworks is headquartered in Louisville, Ky., and has published official commemorative artwork for the Ryder Cup, PGA Championships, Kentucky Derby, Breeders’ Cup and the Olympics. We have been honored to work with LeRoy Neiman for over 15 years on a variety of major projects.
About The PGA of America
Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf.
By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry.
By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public’s interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.
Contact:
Ben Isaacs
Cobalt Artworks
502/376-1283
bisaacs@cobaltart.com