David Yarrow
McEnroe / Borg
2023

About the Item

McEnroe / Borg Brooklyn, New York - 2023 Edition Size: 20 + 3 APs Available sizes: 52 X 71 inches 71 x 99 inches Half of the proceeds will go towards John McEnroe’s philanthropic endeavours. All prints are on 315gsm Hahnemühle Photo Rag Baryta Paper and varnished after processing to give both endurance and sheen. Each is signed, dated and numbered on the front. Price includes David Yarrow's custom black ash frame, white archival matting and protective UV acrylic. “Although they only played each other 14 times, McEnroe versus Borg became one of the most celebrated rivalries in the history of sport and New York played the lead role in its final denouement. When McEnroe defeated Borg in four sets in the US Open Final of 1981 at Flushing Meadows, Borg left the stadium immediately and never played in a major tournament again. He was just 25 years old. The late 1970s and early 1980s were heady days for the US Open. New York was rocking to a disco beat and American men and women dominated the higher seedings. In the latter stages of the men’s tournament, McEnroe would often face fellow countrymen such as Jimmy Connors and Vitas Gerulaitis. McEnroe and Gerulaitis - both New Yorkers and good friends - were known to head for Studio 54 once their night matches were over at Flushing Meadows. My plan was to celebrate this era by hosting a little gathering on a New York subway car from the same period. The way to do this was to hire the New York Transit Museum for the day and dress one of the period cars as if it were 1981. I had my lead in the wonderfully unique John McEnroe; a formidable and gritty New Yorker who wears a subway look with ease. I asked him to bring his guitar which, of course, like a tennis racket, he plays left-handed and plays well. Today’s McEnroe was joined on his subway ride by characters all styled in the same era. Borg was a necessary extra somewhere in the carriage and we found a strong look alike. He was joined by a couple of Pan Am stewardesses and then, of course, it being New York, we had to make reference to the Village People. The final piece of the jigsaw was the subway adverts on the left and my team did a fine job finding the McEnroe Nike advert. That would have been one hell of a journey on the subway. Whatever John McEnroe’s journey from here, it will be on his own terms and will be pursued with the intensity that has characterised his storied career. To be number one in the world for 170 weeks is the mark of a fiercely competitive character. It was an honour to spend time with him..”

Creator:
David Yarrow (1966, Scottish)
Creation Year:
2023
Dimensions:
Height: 52 in (132.08 cm)Width: 71 in (180.34 cm)Depth: 2 in (5.08 cm)
Medium:
Archival Pigment
Movement & Style:
Contemporary
Period:
21st Century
Condition:
Gallery Location:
Chicago, IL
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU388312060192
View Invoice

Shop All David Yarrow

David Yarrow

David Yarrow, born 1966 in Scotland, took up photography at an early age, as a 20-year-old he found himself working as a photographer for The London Times on the pitch at the World Cup Final in Mexico City. On that day, he took the sensationalized picture of Diego Maradona holding the World Cup and, as a result, was subsequently asked to cover the Olympics and numerous other high profile sporting events.

Many years later, Yarrow established himself as a fine art photographer by documenting the natural world from new perspectives and recent years have been career-defining for his mark on the world of contemporary fine art photography.

Yarrow’s evocative and immersive photography of life on earth is most distinctive and has earned him an ever-growing following among art collectors and celebrities. His distinct large monochrome images made in Los Angeles are on display in leading galleries and museums across Europe and North America. Yarrow is now recognized as one of the best-selling fine art photographers in the world and his limited edition works regularly sell at high prices at Sotheby’s and other auction houses.

In September 2019, Rizzoli published their second book by Yarrow, with a personal foreword written by global NFL star Tom Brady and thoughtful afterword written by American cultural icon and supermodel Cindy Crawford. All royalties from the book have been donated to conservation charities Tusk in the UK and WildAid in the US.

Yarrow's position in the industry has been rewarded with a wide range of advisory and ambassadorial roles. He is an ambassador for WildArk and The Kevin Richardson Foundation and is the European ambassador for Nikon. Yarrow has been integral to Nikon's most anticipated camera release of the last decade. In December 2017, he shot LVMH’s latest “Don’t Crack Under Pressure” campaign with Cara Delevingne. In January 2019, he was appointed as a global ambassador for UBS. In the spring of 2020, Yarrow was appointed a global ambassador for Best Buddies – one of America’s most established children’s charities.

Yarrow became an ambassador for the African Community and Conservation Foundation and presented his work in the Endangered Rangers virtual fundraiser. At the start of 2020, Yarrow was in Australia documenting the devastating bush fires that have destroyed communities, wildlife and wildlands. Using the striking images that he captured of the effects of the fire, he launched the #KoalaComeback Campaign to support the recovery efforts in Australia. The campaign raised over $1.4 million, and as Yarrow continues to work for humanitarian causes, his steadfast determination continues to make positive change for the benefit of global awareness. Currently, Yarrow continues to create stunning imagery with lasting global impact and archival quality that speaks to his reverence for the art of photography in capturing the wonders of the world.

Find a collection of original David Yarrow photography on 1stDibs.