A striking portrait of Mohamed Ali, the champion who embodied both power and poetry.
No paint, no print, no ink. His face emerges purely through structure, shadow and rhythm. From a distance Ali is instantly recognizable, his gaze unwavering and his presence commanding. Up close the work dissolves into abstraction, each of the 2500 blackened steel nails a fragment of force and motion.
Hardened steel set against luminous white acrylic glass creates a dialogue between strength and clarity. The matte intensity of the nails echoes Ali’s spirit, unyielding yet fluid, precise yet explosive.
As the light shifts the portrait transforms. From the side it reveals its sculptural depth, every nail casting its own rhythm of shadows. From the front his stare returns, sharp and eternal, a reminder of the fighter who declared himself the greatest.
This piece is part of the second collection of Art with Nails by Tijs Dragtsma, realized in a strictly limited edition of ten. Each artwork carries slight variations, yet belongs unmistakably to the same vision.
Framed in a handmade Dutch float frame in matte black wood, and signed and numbered on the reverse, this work is both a tribute and a reinvention. A contemporary homage to the man whose presence transcended the ring and became legend.
About the Artist, Tijs Dragtsma
Part of the Art with Nails series by Tijs Dragtsma, this work is created with a self developed technique that transforms classic nail art into a bold modern context. By focusing on pure materials and the interplay of strength and fragility, Dragtsma reimagines timeless icons with powerful presence.
Specifications Title: Mohamed Ali in Black Steel Collection: Second Collection of Art with Nails, Black Steel Edition 2025 Edition: Limited to 3 pieces, Medium: 2500 blackened hardened steel nails Background: Matte white acrylic glass Frame: Handmade Dutch float frame in matte black wood, ready to hang Year: 2025 Condition: New, signed Includes: Certificate of Authenticity (COA) Dimensions (incl. frame): 53 × 53 × 4 cm
