Barry Sutton

In Olympia, artist Barry Sutton’s synthetic photographs capture the raw emotion, competitive spirit, and complex political undertones of the Olympic Games. This series borrows from the hyper-contrast of contemporary sports photography and the exquisite framing of documentary classics to convey the intensity of the Olympics. By using artificial intelligence to create these synthetic photographs, Sutton captures the spirit of sport in motion with exquisite detail while portraying corporeal forms in the abstract.

This process expands the imaginative possibilities of narrative in each image, allowing Sutton to portray the Games through the lens of contemporary mythologies. Addressing social topics like immigration, doping, violence, and poverty, this series invites viewers to consider human rights and the myriad global issues facing humanity. Olympia is ultimately a provocation more than a statement, celebrating the Games’ spirit of achievement while challenging viewers to confront the global social climate surrounding its presence.