The New York Yankees commissioned Kings Avenue Tattoo’s Mike Rubendall and Grez to create a large scale original painting that would be installed inside Yankee Stadium.
Once the concept for the painting was finalized, the artists rented a studio in Brooklyn because they needed the appropriate space to work on the painting which was set to be 28 feet in length.
The canvas and frame were custom built to accommodate the massive scale of the painting, then installed on the wall of the studio to provide an optimal setup for Mike and Grez to work.
Work began on February 10th, 2024 and completed on March 31st, 2024 with nearly 58 full days of work spread throughout that time.
Transferring the artwork to a canvas of this scale was a challenge. From custom stencils, projectors, spray paint to paint brushes of all shapes and sizes, various methods and techniques were used in order to bring the painting to life.
• 28 feet in width symbolizing the New York Yankees’ quest for their 28th World Series title
• Yankees logo, Yankee Stadium and the iconic stadium facade representing the New York Yankees
• Subway, skyline and the line of shops representing the Bronx and the city of New York
• The eagle, a classic motif in tattooing symbolizing patriotism, courage and strength
• Sun and the moon, day and night representing the concept of the alpha and omega, beginning and the end
• The Commissioner’s Trophy symbolizing the end, the goal of winning the 28th World Series title
Our vision from the start on this project was to depict a journey from beginning to end. 28 feet long in search of the 28th championship. From sunrise to sunset. Alpha and Omega. All surrounded by images that we call home.
Once the artists completed the painting, it was disassembled and transferred from the Brooklyn studio to Yankee Stadium- in time for the Yankees home opener for the 2024 season.
The original painting is installed inside Yankee Stadium on the wall of a hallway that runs from the parking lot to the clubhouse. This hallway is known as the “player arrival hallway” because it is a path that the players take to get to the clubhouse every time they come into the stadium.
Players will enter the hallway on the day side of the painting as they walk towards the night side, finishing with the world series trophy as they approach the clubhouse.
A printed replica version of the painting will be displayed for fans later this Spring.
