Running is one of the most natural human activities, so it’s no surprise that it has long captivated artists. In modern art, there are numerous paintings that capture the movement of runners—whether they are athletes in full stride or simply the raw energy of running itself. Through these works, artists often aim to show that running is not just about physical exertion but carries deeper meanings. Running resonates differently with each person. Some run for joy, others train for marathons. For some, running may be an escape, while for others, it’s an attempt to catch up with something. All of these interpretations are frequently reflected in artistic creations. Runners in paintings aren’t just athletes; they are symbols of endurance, strength, or even inner struggle.
One reason why running is such a popular subject in art is its universality. People of all ages and cultural backgrounds engage in running, offering artists a vast spectrum of inspiration. Paintings of runners capture joy and freedom, but also exhaustion and pain. Through these images, viewers can connect with the various emotional states that running evokes.
Recently, running has taken center stage thanks to the Olympic Games. This global sporting event inspires both spectators and artists alike. Olympic runners are not just athletes; they often symbolize the endurance of the human spirit and determination. The vast audience that the Olympics attract highlights the sport's significant role, particularly in the context of national pride and identity. This, too, can be a powerful motivator for artistic expression.
However, the running metaphor often represents more than just physical movement; it can symbolize the desire for liberation or overcoming obstacles, frequently embodying hope for a fresh start or an escape from everyday routines. Through their paintings, artists touch on deeper themes such as strength, perseverance, and personal liberation. Running is depicted as more than just a physical activity—it’s a journey of self-discovery and exploration of our inner worlds.
Conceptions of Leisure in the Work of Monica Kim Garza
In her piece titled The Chaser and The Runner (2024), artist Monica Kim Garza presents running as a form of meditation and a social phenomenon, gradually shaped by modern culture and fashion trends, much like everything else in today’s world. The painting was created as a swift, gestural study, highlighting not only the speed of the act of running but also the fast-paced nature of contemporary life. With quick brushstrokes, Garza captures the essence of movement and its dynamic energy.
Monica Kim Garza is renowned for her bold portrayals of women joyfully engaging in everyday activities. Whether they are relaxing, eating and drinking, sunbathing, or participating in sports, her figures always exude calm and confidence. They are painted with rapid, gestural strokes that blend seamlessly with their surroundings, deliberately disregarding traditional compositional rules.
Garza’s work is often compared to that of Paul Gauguin and Frida Kahlo due to its style, yet her approach is unique—she liberates her subjects from the heavy visual burdens of historical contexts. Instead, she depicts women in their full strength and joy, creating images of freedom and a carefree life. In her hands, sport becomes not only an escape from reality but also a celebration of female power and independence.
Running as a Metaphor for the Frenzied Pace of Modern Society in the Work of Didier Viodé
Didier Viodé, a Beninese artist born in Côte d'Ivoire, offers a critical perspective on modern society in his 2022 series Run, where running is used as a powerful metaphor. This series reflects the relentless pressure and haste that surrounds us in today’s world. In Run, the central motif of running symbolizes not just a physical activity, but more profoundly, the frantic pace at which we all strive to keep up in a world dominated by speed and the constant pursuit of success. Through his artwork, Viodé captures the essence of a society that is always in a rush, driven by the demands to accelerate, compete, and achieve, often at the cost of our well-being.
In his Run series, Didier Viodé delves into the pressures modern society imposes on individuals—the constant push to accelerate, compete, gain followers on social media, achieve the ideal appearance, or secure the perfect career. In Viodé’s interpretation, running reflects not only the physical strain but also the psychological burden that contemporary life often brings. Through dynamic and energetic brushstrokes, he captures the feelings of euphoria and exhaustion that accompany this relentless pursuit.
The theme of movement, which Viodé explored in earlier series like Danseurs du crépuscule and Les Vaillants, is expanded in Run to encompass a broader social context. The artist examines how people navigate their daily lives, what motivates them, and how this incessant rush affects their emotions and behaviors. The Run series is not merely about the pursuit of something, but also about the attempt to escape the societal pressures that demand constant acceleration and improvement. The viewer is thus invited to reflect on their own pace of life and consider how to navigate a world increasingly obsessed with speed and performance.
Wild Women Overcoming Obstacles in the Work of Mie Olise Kjærgaard
Mie Olise Kjærgaard is an artist who explores themes of movement and sport through her paintings, sculptures, and installations. Since graduating from Central St. Martins in 2008, she has focused on depicting the dynamic nature of the female body in action, where movement symbolizes physical activity, freedom, strength, and endurance.
In Kjærgaard’s work, sports motifs serve as metaphors for life’s journey and the overcoming of obstacles. The theme of women in motion has been a central element of her art since 2019. Her colorful and vibrant paintings portray playful women engaged in various sports activities—running, tennis, or cycling—celebrating their energy and vitality. Her approach reflects both the personal and collective efforts of women striving to achieve their goals and overcome societal limitations.
The exhibition Game Changer, held this spring at The Foundry Gallery in Seoul, illustrates how Kjærgaard uses sports metaphors to explore the theme of freedom. The exhibition's title itself suggests a shift in the rules of the game, which can also be interpreted as women’s emancipation and the transformation of their roles in society. This theme resonates throughout her work—new rules or movements open up spaces for new possibilities and unexpected events.
Running for Justice in the Work of Sheena Rose
Sheena Rose, a Barbadian artist, uses sport as a lens through which to explore deeper social and political themes in her work. Her paintings, often depicting runners and athletes, address issues of emancipation, gender equality, and cultural identity. Rose’s distinctive geometric shapes and vibrant colors create dynamic compositions that capture the energy and rivalry inherent in the world of sports.
In her depictions of runners, Rose portrays the physical achievements of individuals and emphasizes the competitive nature of sport. In her interpretation, running becomes a symbol of freedom and human resilience. At the same time, she examines how sports reflect broader issues of oppression and equality. Through her work, Rose creates an environment where victories and defeats extend beyond the boundaries of the playing field, mirroring the everyday struggles for justice and equal opportunities.
Rose’s art highlights the emotional and social contexts that impact athletes. Although her figures are often assumed to be female, she skillfully blurs the distinctions between male and female forms, raising questions about gender stereotypes and identity. Her style, marked by bright colors and simplified forms, celebrates female strength and resilience. Additionally, by depicting athletes with darker skin tones, she draws attention to the inequalities these athletes often face.
Fatigue and Endurance in the Work of Jitka Petrášová
In the Czech art scene, the theme of running finds expression in the work of Jitka Petrášová, a student at the Academy of Fine Arts. Petrášová is known for her distinctive figurative style and vibrant color palette. Her paintings deliver a strong visual impact, particularly when she focuses on sports themes.
In her series Sbírka sportovců ("Collection of Athletes"), Petrášová explores the world of sports, a realm that feels distant to her personally, yet she approaches the subject with an ironic detachment shaped by her own sometimes traumatic memories of physical education in Czech schools. Despite this, it’s clear that sport genuinely fascinates her.
In the painting Běžci ("Runners"), she captures the athletes at the very moment before crossing the finish line, where rivalry and endurance reach their peak. The painting not only conveys the intensity of the race but also unmistakably expresses the fatigue that is an inseparable part of athletic performance. By using vivid background colors and depicting the movement of the runners, who are painted in dark hues, she creates a dramatic atmosphere in the final moments of the race.
Petrášová skillfully captures the emotions and energy of athletic performance in her work. Her style, characterized by spontaneous gestures and rich layers of color, evokes a strong response from viewers almost immediately upon encountering the canvas.
