The Art Newspaper

Matthew Day Jackson

Matthew Day Jackson is on top of his game with work on show this week at Hauser & Wirth at Frieze (B6) and the Whitney Museum, but now the artist is seeking his thrills in an altogether more perilous way. “I’m going to be drag racing for the next year or two,” he says, explaining that he has a Super Comp Dragster built by McKinney Corp, the professional racecar builders, and has embarked on special training in Florida so he can drive it on the track at Englishtown, New Jersey. “I will represent the fourth generation of racecar drivers in my family,” says the artist, adding that he believes the racetrack, like gladiatorial combat in ancient Rome, “is a space integral to human culture”, where “certain values of a society are exposed”, namely the voyeuristic thrill in watching others face danger. Day Jackson says he isn’t nervous at the prospect of reaching speeds of 170 miles per hour but admits: “I don’t want to die.” He isn’t giving up on his art altogether though as his dragster will eventually be turned into a sculpture. Collectors can sponsor Day Jackson’s racing team. Sponsorship options start at $500. For $60,000 you can name his car, choose its colours and have your name emblazoned on all three sides of it.

Comments