The Perfect Shot:
Walter Iooss Jr. and the Art of Sports Photography
“The Blue Dunk,” Michael Jordan, Lisle, Illinois
Negative, 1987
Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Gift of Chetan Patel in honor of the Museum’s 75th anniversary, © Walter Iooss Jr.
Over his extensive career, photographer Walter Iooss Jr. had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest athletes of the past sixty years, capturing the moments of triumph and defeat that athletes and non-athletes alike know well.
Born in 1943, Iooss cultivated his passion for photography from an early age. He shot his first roll of film at the age of sixteen during a New York Giants game with his father. A few short years later he landed his first cover for “Sports Illustrated” in 1963. Iooss established himself a prolific photographer for the magazine and photographed the first fifty-three Super Bowls. His work has been featured on over three hundred covers.
Sandy Koufax, Minneapolis, Minnesota
negative, 1965
Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Gift of Chetan Patel in honor of the Museum’s 75th anniversary, © Walter Iooss Jr.
“The Catch,” Dwight Clark, San Francisco, California
negative, 1982
Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Gift of Eileen and Patrick O’Connor in honor of the Museum’s 75th anniversary, © Walter Iooss Jr.
This exhibit takes visitors through some of the most inspiring moments in sports history, highlighting the craft and talent that transformed these moments into art.
Gymnast, Chemnitz, East Germany
negative, 1976
Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Gift of Eric Michael Anton in honor of the Museum’s 75th anniversary, © Walter Iooss Jr.
The exhibition is organized into five sections of universal emotions: anticipation, perseverance, triumph, disappointment, and reflection. These sections allow visitors to find the common threads that transcend athletic genres and athletes.
Regardless of if you have played or watched sports, you will be able to relate to the emotions conveyed in Walter Iooss Jr.’s impressive photographs. The exhibition will be open from June 13th, 2024 – August 11th, 2024.
Johnny Unitas, Baltimore, Maryland
negative, 1970
Oklahoma City Museum of Art, Gift of Eileen and Patrick O’Connor in honor of the museum’s 75th anniversary, © Walter Iooss Jr.