Alexandre Petrus (1988) - MUHAMMAD ALI

MUHAMMAD ALI
ARTIST: Alexandre Petrus (AP)
Technique: Hand-cut multi-layer stencil and spray paint
SUPPORT: Cotton canvas
Dimensions: 61 x 46 x 2 cm
Year of creation: 2025
Signature: Hand-signed on the back – 'AP' monogram sprayed on the front.
Authenticity: Original artwork delivered with a signed certificate of authenticity.
Condition: Mint


ABOUT THE ARTWORK
In this piece, I chose to portray Muhammad Ali not in the chaos of combat, but in a moment of absolute mental dominance. The face is calm, frontal, almost immobile — yet charged with an inner force that defined his legend. This is not the boxer mid-punch, but the strategist, the poet, the mind that already knows the outcome.
The reduced palette and the strong contrast reinforce this tension between stillness and power. Every line is essential, stripped of excess, forcing the viewer to confront the gaze. Ali’s eyes carry confidence, defiance, and control — the same qualities that made him untouchable both inside and outside the ring.
The textured purple background is deliberately raw and unstable, evoking the noise, pressure, and turbulence surrounding his career: media, politics, racism, controversy. Against this fractured surface, the face remains solid, composed, unshaken. The figure stands as an anchor in the storm.
This work explores legacy beyond physical strength. Muhammad Ali becomes a symbol of self-belief, resistance, and identity. He is no longer just an athlete, but an icon of cultural power — someone who mastered not only his opponent but the narrative itself.
As with my other portraits, this artwork balances instinctive background work with precise, hand-cut stencil lines. The result is a controlled tension: a visual silence that speaks loudly, inviting the viewer to slow down and absorb the presence rather than the action.


About the artist
I am a French stencil artist working across street art, pop culture, and contemporary painting. My work is based on a hand-cut stencil technique combined with spontaneous, textured backgrounds, creating a dialogue between instinct and precision. I explore iconic figures, animals, and mythological subjects through a simplified graphic language, aiming for maximum visual impact with minimal elements.
Each artwork I create is an original piece. Even when reusing my stencils, the background, gestures, textures, and energy are always different, making every work unique. My approach values originality in repetition and builds a strong, recognizable artistic identity across my series.
I have created murals and live paintings throughout France and regularly collaborate with private collectors, companies, and cultural events. My work is intended to be accessible yet powerful, contemporary yet timeless.


SHIPPING
The artwork will be carefully packed and shipped with professional protective materials to ensure safe delivery.


Worldwide shipping available.
Instagram: @alexandrepetrus.art
website: www.ap-art.fr