In 1936 Jesse Owens made sporting history when he broke five world records and equaled a sixth in the space of 45 minutes. Owens won four gold medals, in the 100m, 200m, 4x100m relay, and the long jump. He managed to break or equal nine Olympic records and also set three world records.

These wins held special significance because they laid waste to the Nazi claims of Aryan racial superiority. Owens’ achievements led the people of Berlin to hail him, an African-American, as a hero.

This is a mixed media piece: Digital painting printed on paper, mounted to wood, and garnished with acrylic paint.