Basketball is not just a sport; it is a cultural force that shapes identities, fosters resilience, and provides healing for Black and Brown communities. In the exhibition “Bounce Back: The Medicinal Artistry of Basketball,” we explore how basketball serves as a means of resistance and a lifeline for those facing systemic inequities. Through powerful visual narratives, the exhibition showcases how the game transcends the court, becoming a metaphor for survival, protest, and self-preservation.

At its core, this outdoor exhibition highlights the deep connection between sport, creativity and resilience. Both basketball and art demand innovation, adaptation, and expression, providing outlets for self-discovery and community connection. In the same way that an artist transforms raw materials into something meaningful, basketball players sculpt their movements on the court, creating rhythm and flow that reflect joy and perseverance. For many Black and Brown communities, both art and basketball offer spaces for liberation —where identity can be shaped, where narratives can be rewritten, and where healing can take place. This relationship between art and sport becomes a testament to the transformative power of practice and creativity in overcoming obstacles and cultivating strength.

Central to this exhibition is the solo work of Miles Perry, whose mixed-media installation “Net Pulse” captures the raw energy, rhythm, and communal power of basketball. Perry’s use of reclaimed basketballs, rusted hoops, worn sneakers, and fragments of urban detritus evokes the physical and emotional wear-and-tear experienced by both players and communities. His sculptural piece reflects the passage of time, the grit of urban landscapes, and the journey of athletes —both in their sport and in their lives.

Through layers of materials and textures, Perry creates a sense of elevation, symbolizing the climb from hardship to triumph. His canvas work, featuring popular basketball players in motion, mirrors the flow and intensity of the game, drawing attention to basketball as both a sanctuary and a platform for protest. The pulse of the game, much like the pulse of a community, becomes a symbol of persistence and healing.

Perry’s work also serves as a critique of the healthcare system, highlighting the neglect and inequities that have left Black and Brown communities searching for alternative means of care and resilience. The exhibition, while celebrating the dynamism of basketball, challenges us to reflect on the ongoing fight for racial justice and health equity. Both basketball and art remind us that creativity —in whatever form it takes— can be a source of liberation, a way to rise above adversity, and a tool for both personal and collective healing.

About the Artist

Miles Perry is an emerging Cape Verdean artist whose work reflects the intersection of art, culture, and social commentary. His focus lies in mixed-media installations that explore themes of resilience, freedom, and survival, particularly within our communities of color. Perry’s practice is deeply rooted in his own experiences and the broader narratives of race, community, and identity. His art critiques societal structures while celebrating the culture of resistance and healing that thrives in underrepresented spaces.