Collector Description
Fight is a monumental bronze sculpture of boxing gloves, enlarged beyond human scale. Their polished knuckles glint against a darker patina, recalling both the blows taken in training and the persistence required to pursue a dream.
The work is rooted in McNaughton’s own journey of exhilarating successes and sudden setbacks, and in the encouragement of mentors who urged him to get back up when his own faith faltered. Drawing inspiration from the underdog spirit of Rocky and Stallone’s relentless fight to realize the film itself, Fight stands as a monument to resilience. It is for those who have been knocked down, and for those who rise again, more determined to fight for their dreams.
Catalogue Description
Brendon McNaughton’s Fight is a monumental bronze sculpture of boxing gloves, enlarged far beyond human scale. Their knuckles are polished to a mirrored finish while the surrounding surfaces are held in a subdued patina. This contrast captures both the gleam of triumph and the endurance of struggle. The polished knuckles serve as a record of countless strikes, recalling the repetition and persistence behind the pursuit of one’s dream.
The work originates in a deeply personal narrative. McNaughton recalls his early career, marked by rapid successes such as international exhibitions, inclusion in major collections, and encounters with artistic heroes, followed by an equally sudden collapse during the pandemic. At that time, a patron reminded him of the myth of Icarus, and McNaughton, like Icarus, felt himself falling. Yet through the encouragement of mentors and friends, particularly the curator Francesca Valente, he was reminded to rise again. In this sense Fight functions both as self-portrait and as monument, embodying the fragile equilibrium between collapse and renewal, defeat and resurgence.
The cultural references that inform Fight extend this narrative into a broader arena. The story of Rocky resonates not only in its cinematic depiction of the underdog fighter but also in Stallone’s real struggle to have the film produced, a refusal to surrender his vision even when repeatedly rejected. In parallel, McNaughton sees in artists such as Warhol, Koons, and Kapoor figures who realized ambitious, improbable projects despite doubt and resistance. Each nod within the work, whether the boxing glove itself recalling Warhol’s engagement with Ali and Pop culture, or the polished reflective surfaces that echo Kapoor and Koons, marks not imitation but acknowledgement of the encouragement these precedents provided to persist.
Ultimately, Fight is not only autobiographical but also universal. It speaks to anyone who has been knocked down and dares to stand again, to the mentors and “coaches” who restore courage when resolve falters, and to the enduring truth that the pursuit of one’s dream requires resilience. By monumentalizing the boxing glove, McNaughton transforms an object of combat into a contemporary monument of hope and persistence, inviting viewers to recognize their own struggles, recoveries, and renewed fights in its massive stillness.
Artist Statement:
"Fight" is a monumental bronze sculpture of boxing gloves, enlarged beyond human scale, positioned one, with a mix of polished and patinated surfaces. The gloves, larger than life, stand as a powerful symbol of resilience and perseverance.
This piece is a personal reminder to keep fighting. My art career has seen exhilarating highs, achieving international success, completing large-scale sculptures, being included in prestigious collections, exhibiting alongside legends like Michael Snow and Suzy Lake, sourcing marble from the Italian mountain ranges of the great Renaissance masters I read about in history books, exhibiting in Venice, and meeting my art heroes such as Jeff Koons. I was flying high, and during that time, a patron shared with me the story of Icarus. I visited the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) and spent hours contemplating the painting of Icarus, feeling the weight of its wise warning.
Like Icarus, my wings failed, and I crashed—brought down by a lack of business experience and the global pandemic. I plunged into a sea of uncertainty, struggling to stay afloat. During this time, I recalled stories from gallery owners who doubted my staying power and quick rise, telling me I would be a flash in the pan. As I fell from flying too close to the sun like Icarus, I found myself trying to keep from drowning in the sea, with the many exciting people I met along my journey on distant life rafts. Francesca Valente, however, spotted me in the sea, began to swim alongside me, and eventually pulled me into her boat. She continued to invite me into the art world and never stopped believing in me.
Francesca and I spoke outside the AGO during that difficult period. I don't think she knew how mixed I was feeling about my position in the art world and path forward as an artist. We saw an exhibition together, and it re-energized me. I began to feel that fire again, but I was scared and scarred. I had been hit hard and was nearly down for the count. She encouraged me to get back up and fight, like the coach in Rocky's corner, "Fight". Her belief in me was unwavering, even when faith in myself was faltering. She told me, "If you want this, you must fight." This is my moment back in the ring. The Rocky music is playing, and I am getting back to my feet. I have been knocked down, but I will fight.
"Fight" is a monument to everyone who has been knocked down and to those who have the courage to stand back up and continue fighting for their dreams. It's a tribute to the coaches in our lives who encourage us and believe in us when we lose faith in ourselves. "Fight" is for the fighters, the coaches, the dreamers, and the believers out there. Get up, fight. Those who get knocked down seven times but stand up eight will succeed.
Video of piece:
https://assets.artworkarchive.com/video/upload/v1724018472/user_7978/additional_files/VidnozImageToVideo_dzu6fj
