Jonas Wood, the Boston-born and Los Angeles-based contemporary artist, has made waves in the art world with his unique approach to painting and drawing, encompassing everything from portraits to landscapes and still lifes.
His artwork has gained international recognition through exhibitions in various prestigious venues, including the Hammer Museum, the Broad, and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.
However, Wood’s latest showcase is not confined to traditional gallery spaces; it is making a statement on the basketball court of the Los Angeles Clippers — a team that has recently embraced the nickname ‘Clips’ due to the popularity of his work.
The collaboration was sparked three years ago through a conversation between a friend of Wood, a local realtor, and Gillian Zucker, the Clippers’ president of business operations.
Zucker expressed the team’s desire to incorporate arts into the new Intuit Dome, the arena set to open in 2024-2025.
Excited by the opportunity, Wood told his friend that he would love to design the team’s court.
Soon after, he received confirmation from Zucker that he would indeed create a court design for the team, as well as special uniforms to be worn during select games.
“My obsession with basketball has always influenced my art,” Wood stated, highlighting his background as a lifelong Boston Celtics fan and a current Clippers season ticket holder.
He explained, “As a figurative painter, I incorporate everything around me into my work, and basketball is a significant part of my life.”
Their collaboration officially began during the 2023-2024 season, when the Clippers shared the Crypto.com Arena with the Lakers.
During this time, Wood’s artwork was depicted through a reimagined team logo displayed on the hardwood and jerseys during eight designated home games.
“I created thousands of sketches and delved into research on their previous and current logos,” Wood recalled.
Zucker encouraged a vision that was radical and non-conventional, leading to a new logo reflecting the nickname ‘Clips.’
The logo was designed with two basketballs piercing the ‘A’ in ‘L.A.’, visually standing out to both players and fans.
For the jersey design, Wood aimed for an old-school ’90s NBA aesthetic: “I wanted something really clean, straightforward, with a cool graphic.”
The response from both the team and its fans was overwhelmingly positive, prompting Wood and the Clippers to elevate their partnership for the upcoming season.
From November 17, 2024, to April 5, 2025, the Clippers plan to host eight ‘City Edition’ games at the Intuit Dome featuring even more elaborate court designs and jerseys by Wood.
The new court will showcase a striking L.A. logo accompanied by colorful flowers and intricate wavy lines made to resemble wood grain.
“I think putting a big flower right in the middle of the court is pretty radical,” Wood remarked, proud of the artistic freedom he received.
He described the occasion as being granted the chance to place a sizable painting on the court, thus blurring the lines between sport and fine art.
Wood’s enthusiasm for basketball enhances his experience as a season ticket holder, as he enjoys the proximity to the game from his seats situated just behind the Clippers’ bench.
“I love to watch the interaction right there,” he noted.
“It’s amazing to be that close and see the players, coach, and ref engage with each other.”
The thought that these interactions and performances are happening on a court featuring his artistic designs still astounds Wood.
Reflecting on his journey, he indicated that he would eventually look back and think, “That is incredible, that one of my big paintings was on that court and they let me do this.”
Jonas Wood’s unique intersection of artistry and athletics not only adds a new dimension to the Clippers’ identity but also marks a significant moment in the blending of contemporary art with professional sports.
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