Image via Complex Original
We often think of sports and art on the opposite sides of the cultural spectrum, and we have a hard time imagining athletes in an art museum. Sometimes in their quest to be "cultured," athletes spend their money on art that really should not exist. Because they have famous friends in other fields, they forget their limitations, assuming that they too act, sing, dance, or even paint masterpieces. You don't see Damien Hirst or Jill Greenberg throwing on headbands or shoulder pads, so athletes should leave art to the experts. On the other hand, when athletes venture into the art world, it can be pretty comical, so we don't want them to stop their art experiments entirely. Check out our list of The Funniest Moments Athletes Have Embraced Art.
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Shaquille O'Neal poses as a statue in Harvard Square and lets people touch him.
Shaquille O'Neal poses as a statue in Harvard Square and lets people touch him.
It takes a special kind of celebrity to be comfortable with that kind of stunt, but everyone knows that Shaq has a great sense of humor. We would have definitely climbed on his back for a photo-op and prayed that we didn't launch us 50 feet into the air. Now that's a big sculpture.
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Ron Artest shows up to an art show inspired by and dedicated to him.
Ron Artest shows up to an art show inspired by and dedicated to Ron Artest.
Back in 2010, a group of Canadian artists put together an art show entitled "Lovable Badass" dedicated to the life and career of Ron Artest. Artest came to the opening to see the art and gave this great interview in which he reveals that he could have been an artist. Check out the video below, and #SayQueensbridge.
Eddie Lacy and Manti Te'o attempt to draw for the Panini America Original Player Sketch Card project.
Eddie Lacy and Manti Te'o attempt to draw for the Panini America Original Player Sketch Card project.
We don't expect athletes to be as great at drawing as they are at their respective sports, but a little effort would have been appreciated. These are hilariously bad. Click through to see decent work from players like Christine Michael and Marquise Goodwin.
Ryan Anderson auctions off a pottery painting session to benefit the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.
Ryan Anderson auctions off a pottery painting session to benefit the Orlando Magic Youth Foundation.
Back in 2010, one eager fan could pay $500 for an hour of clay molding and firing with Anderson. Trey Kerby of Yahoo! Sports painted the scene for us, envisioning the 6-foot 10-inch athlete in a steamy re-enactment of Ghost with a stranger.
When she isn't winning titles, Serena Williams likes to take art classes in Paris.
When she isn't winning titles, Serena Williams likes to take art classes in Paris.
We didn't say they were advanced art classes. Serena posted this picture on Twitter with the caption "By popular request, here is a picture of my first painting work. It is from the 'Expressions' series. This one is just called 'Xpressions.'" Shouldn't budding artists wait until they've had a little more experience (like more than one painting) before they can announce a "series"? Chris Chase of FTW accurately described the painting as "a cross between Van Gogh's Wheat Fields and something hanging prominently in a middle-school art room."
There was a painting of Alex Rodriguez as a centaur that everyone thought hung in his house.
There was a painting of Alex Rodriguez as a centaur that everyone thought hung in his house.
For years we chuckled about ARod's centaur painting because it added so much to our perception of him as a player and as a man. It wasn't until December of last year that he revealed that the painting was an unfounded rumor. Maybe he was just saying that to save face. We still want to believe that it hangs in his living room!
Carmelo Anthony has a painting of himself over his fireplace
Carmelo Anthony has a painting of himself over his fireplace.
There is nothing more romantic than lighting a nice warm fire, holding your girl, and staring up into your own eyes (or in this case, your own shades).
Jeremy Evans dunks over a painting, then reveals that it is a self-portrait of himself dunking over the self-portrait.
Jeremy Evans dunks over a painting of himself dunking over a painting.
The term "dunkception" was coined for this deeply meta act of self-love. Evans definitely gets points for creativity, and the painting is actually a great piece of art.
Fernando Tatis retires and becomes an MS Paint enthusiast
Fernando Tatis retires and becomes an MS Paint enthusiast.
Photoshop is for suckers! Only bosses rock with Microsoft Paint to create these skydiving and baseball scenes. He is in an elite class of artists, alongside this 97-year-old legally blind man. We might have to borrow that floppy someday and step our game up.
Usain Bolt grabs a camera and starts taking photos after winning a sprint at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Usain Bolt grabs a camera and starts taking photos after winning a sprint at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Usain Bolt is like an NFL wide receiver trapped in a runner's body. He showboats like no other and is known for celebrating his own awesomeness. No one expected Bolt to borrow a camera and have a surprise photo shoot at the 2012 Olympic Games, but he did.
Kobe Bryant looks confused when trying to use an SLR at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Kobe Bryant looks confused when trying to use an SLR at the 2012 Olympic Games.
The expression Kobe makes in this video when he can't work the camera is like a Kanye shrug of the face. When he realizes that the lens cap is still on, it turns into the expression someone makes when David Blaine turns Vaseline into quarters or something. At least he didn't hesitate to make the pass to the professional and settle for the assist.
Tyson Chandler has an exhibition for his photography.
Tyson Chandler has an exhibition for his photography.
Chandler held an exhibit to show off his second passion and invited a lot of his NBA friends and teammates to share in the event. It's not every day that you see a group of super tall ball players standing around, talking about photos of lions and elephants.
