An artist from his childhood and an NFL player for five years in the early 60s, late painter Ernie Barnes merged his talents in the visual arts and sports to create the powerful paintings now on view at 55 Walker in Tribeca. Barnes saw body language and movement on the field in visual terms, using time outs to sketch the game’s lines and shapes on paper. Here, three towering figures are no less dynamic for standing still; crowding together with oversized elbows and hands, they convey the danger of contact sports. (On view in Tribeca through Oct 30th. Masks required).
