Brady Holtz

Artist statement

As an artist, sports are a way for me to blow off steam or clear my mind. I find it very easy to create art related to or inspired by sports, so it was a no-brainer when I was deciding what to focus on for my project. Golf, a sport deeply rooted in tradition, offers a unique challenge for me as a designer. The sport demands a balance of elegance and utility, and it was important for me to respect the classic aesthetic of golf apparel while introducing contemporary elements that reflect my own creative perspective. I received a great deal of feedback and help from friends and family who are familiar with the sport. Through my experiences playing golf, I realized that it serves as a sort of getaway for many people. The opportunity to spend four hours outdoors with the people you love, doing what you enjoy, is something most people look forward to all week.

My original plan for the semester was to create a golf apparel company, with the goal of designing affordable and unique golf apparel for young adults. However, as I went through the process of creating some of the apparel items, I realized that I truly just wanted to focus on creating patterns and designs for golf polos. Over the years, the golf industry and its apparel have evolved significantly, especially after the sport experienced a surge in popularity due to COVID. This has created a new market for younger generations who have picked up golf as a way to spend time outdoors with friends. Initially, I created these designs digitally, but I decided to print a few of them on printable canvas paper, transforming them into fabric samples. This allowed me to branch out and explore a different medium, presenting my work in a way that amplifies its impact.