Vincent Valdez: Stations

July 2026 – Fall 2027

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Since the recording of history, there has been boxing. In literature, philosophy, film, and art, boxing—also called pugilism—is compared with war, politics, religion, and heroism. In this 2004 print series from the Museum’s Artist Printmaker/Photographer Research Collection, Texas artist Vincent Valdez focuses on a boxer, from entry walk to ‘laying out.’

Valdez made Stations in response to the unexpected death of a friend. He first drew a fallen boxer, and this grew into ten images populated with his family and friends as models for the boxer, trainers, and spectators.

The title of the series, Stations, refers to an ancient Christian prayer called Stations of the Cross or Way of the Cross. This ‘way’ includes fourteen ‘stations,’ or moments, in Jesus’ physical journey from condemnation to burial—known as his Passion. In both, we see animated crowds, a lonely walk, many falls, mission and sacrifice, calls for ‘finish him,’ and finally, silent waiting.

Stations on Vincent Valdez's website