Ever stopped to ponder how a statue can embody a soul? Right here we have the Soul in Flight: Arthur Ashe Memorial Sculpture. It stands as a tribute to a remarkable man. Arthur Ashe was more than a tennis star. He was a humanitarian and civil rights advocate.
This sculpture is located in the Arthur Ashe Commemorative Garden. The USTA added it to the U.S. National Tennis Center. But this is not a typical statue.
The Soul in Flight: Arthur Ashe Memorial Sculpture is not a likeness of Ashe. Instead, it captures his spirit. The artist, Eric Fischl, aimed to represent Ashe’s dignity, determination, and grace. Fischl wanted to bring to life the spirit in which he functioned.
The statue depicts a nude man. He is tossing a tennis ball about to serve. However, there is no ball or racket. Some found this confusing. Some found it offensive.
One observer questioned playing tennis without clothes. Another called it ridiculous. Some felt Arthur Ashe would not have liked it. Despite the controversy, Arthur’s widow, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, approved the sculpture. She was part of the USTA panel that selected it.
Fischl explained that a specific racket would date the statue. Clothing would too. He wanted a feeling of timelessness. The nude form gives you that.
The statue’s broken racket represents a baton. It is passed from generation to generation. The inscription says, “Arthur Ashe embodies dignity, powerful determination and uncommon grace.” It also recounts his accomplishments. He was the first African American man to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. He battled apartheid. He advocated for children’s causes.
Judy Levering, USTA President, called it provocative. But that was Arthur Ashe. Fischl even used a computer program to see the effect of clothing. He didn’t like the results.
The goal of Soul in Flight was not a portrait. It offers something you haven’t seen before. It rethinks something so that it stays alive.
The statue faced criticism. Fischl admitted fearing and loathing criticism. He wanted people to embrace it. He wanted them to be inspired by Arthur Ashe.
The Soul in Flight: Arthur Ashe Memorial Sculpture stands as a symbol. It reminds us of Ashe’s enduring legacy. His spirit lives on not just in tennis history. He lives on in the fight for equality and justice.