Serena Williams has built a legendary career on the tennis courts, capturing the hearts of millions with her unmatched talent and fierce determination. While many see tennis as the primary driver of her global fame, the 23-time Grand Slam champion has a passion that transcends the sport—her love for art.
Recently, the 42-year-old was spotted in Los Angeles attending the premiere of Exhibiting Forgiveness, a film directed by Titus Kaphar. The event also drew notable figures like Oprah Winfrey, and as Williams exited, she expressed how moved she was by the artistic work showcased.
On Friday, Williams took to Instagram to share a photo with Oprah, stating, “Art is one of my many passions. I love collecting art in all forms and from all artists. In the past several years, I have made a commitment to be an avid collector of African American art.” This passion is not new for Williams; her home features an incredible art gallery just beyond the front door, a space she revealed in 2021 to be her favorite due to its uniqueness. She also emphasizes the importance of imparting this love for art to her daughters, Olympia and Adira.
“I love traveling and having the opportunity to go to museums like the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Prado, the Vatican, Uffizi, Guggenheim, & Metropolitan just to name a few. I love taking my daughters there and letting them learn about what we know as fine art,” she shared. Williams praised Kaphar’s work, noting, “This exhibit Exhibiting Forgiveness is so emotional and his story through his film is one that so many of us can relate to.”
The film tells the story of a Black artist whose path to success is complicated by his estranged father’s attempts to reconcile. Additionally, Williams has leveraged her passion for art to support noble causes, particularly through the Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC), named after her late sister.
Using Art for a Noble Cause
Serena Williams lost her elder sister, Yetunde Price, in a drive-by shooting in 2003. Two decades later, she sought to support victims of similar tragedies by establishing the YPRC alongside her sister Venus Williams. A significant aspect of their fundraising efforts involved art.
The tennis legend collaborated with celebrated artist Ernie Barnes, known for his vivid imagery that promotes harmony across diverse communities. Through the YPRC, the Williams sisters auctioned four never-before-seen works by Barnes to raise funds. Serena announced this initiative on Instagram, stating, “We are very excited to announce Holding Court. It is a special auction in partnership with @joopiterofficial featuring four never-before-seen works by @erniebarnesofficial in support of @yprcla.” She added, “Ernie Barnes is an iconic Black artist my family and I have long admired. Through his vibrant imagery, he envisioned a colorful world of harmony between all communities, backgrounds, and races.”
As Serena Williams continues to showcase her love for art, it will be intriguing to see how this passion further influences her life beyond the tennis court.
