Muhammad Ali was not only a renowned pugilist but also a masterful self-promoter. His iconic phrases, such as "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee—his hands can’t hit what his eyes can’t see," showcased a unique dichotomy between grace and aggression in the sport. The Norton Museum's new exhibition, "Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing," delves deep into this aspect, presenting a comprehensive exploration through various mediums.

Exhibiting the Duality

This exhibition covers three sprawling galleries and is divided into 11 sections. It doesn't shy away from the combat element of boxing but also emphasizes the delicacy and dance within it. For instance, in the "Tools" section, Myloan Dinh's "Tough Love" reimagines a punching bag as faux candy hearts, and An Te Liu's "Restraint" depicts it as an hourglass-shaped leather bodice. This upends the stereotypes associated with boxing.In the final gallery, works like Katherine Bradford's "Boxers Under Lights" show faceless warriors embracing in a kiss, and Hernan Bas's "Conceptual Artist #16" features combatants fighting with pillows in a ring adorned with red bows. Jeffrey Gibson uses Everlast-style punching bags as canvases, covering them with messages of love and empowerment.

Painting and Photography

Throughout the exhibition, spectators encounter nearly a dozen aspects of boxing through different mediums. Household names like Ed Ruscha with his droll textual art, Jean-Michel Basquiat with his crowned avatars, Roy Lichtenstein with his comic-book onomatopoeia, and Keith Haring with his squiggly sculptural figures are present. Diane Arbus offers a voyeuristic look at a boxer in a New York City gym, and Andy Warhol's silkscreen of Ali with a blue superhero fist turns him into a cultural meme.

Sculpture and Video

Some of the most memorable works come from artists unfamiliar to many. Caleb Hahne Quintana's "How a Fall Can Make You Real" depicts a defeated boxer on the mat under a spotlight, while Fletcher Martin's "Down for the Count" takes a Cubist approach to a fallen pugilist in a triangular space. Paul Pfeiffer's short video reconstructs a match, making the viewer feel the single boxer's pain. Dana Hoey's "Fighters" shows female boxers sparring on four screens, creating a hypnotic effect.

Staging and Photography

Samuel Fosso's "Self-Portrait (Muhammad Ali)" is a powerful image. In this staged photography as part of a broader series, Fosso presents Ali as a martyr, symbolizing how society's slings and arrows can affect the greatest athlete.Ali was not just supposed to be an entertainer; this exhibition shows that boxing is influenced by society, culture, justice, and masculinity. In the hands of artists, it encompasses everything."Strike Fast, Dance Lightly: Artists on Boxing" runs through March 9 at Norton Museum of Art, 1450 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. Admission is $18 general and $15 seniors. For information, call 561/832-5196 or visit norton.org.For more of Boca magazine's arts and entertainment coverage, click here.