On view through July 25, the acclaimed 107-minute digital video presents an intimate portrait of Beckham, filmed in a single, unbroken take as he rests after a Real Madrid FC training session in 2004. Departing from the familiar, high-energy images of Beckham on the football field or in the media spotlight, and lit simply from a single light source, the work draws inspiration from both Michelangelo’s classic Italian Renaissance sculpture David (1501-1504) and Andy Warhol’s underground film “Sleep” (1964), inviting viewers to reflect on themes of fame, vulnerability, and humanity. The screening offers travelers and art enthusiasts a rare opportunity to engage with contemplative but profound artwork in a unique public setting.
Working across photography, film, and video, Taylor-Johnson’s work investigates the complexities of human emotion and identity. Best known for directing major feature films, including “Nowhere Boy”, “Fifty Shades of Grey”, and most recently “Back to Black”, her projects have been exhibited internationally, including at Tate Modern, Guggenheim Museum, and the Venice Biennale. Commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery in London, “David” exemplifies Taylor-Johnson’s innovative practice, which often explores the boundaries between public and private, celebrity and anonymity.
“Filming him while he was asleep produces a different view from the many familiar, public images,” Taylor-Johnson notes. “This approach transforms the international superstar into a subject of quiet reverence, offering audiences a rare, personal glimpse beyond the public persona.”
Born in London, UK, Taylor-Johnson studied sculpture at Goldsmiths College (London), alongside a generation of British artists who came to prominence in the 1990s. After showing at the Venice Biennale (1997) and being nominated for the Turner Prize (1998), Taylor-Johnson gained international acclaim with solo exhibitions at major museums across Europe. Encouraged by filmmaker Anthony Minghella, she directed the Palme d’Or-nominated short “Love You More” (2008) and her feature debut “Nowhere Boy” (2009), followed by ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ (2015), “A Million Little Pieces” (2018), and “Back to Black” (2024). While her films have won BAFTA nominations and awards, her studio practice has remained constant, recently exhibiting self-portraits in Rome that explore the tension between body and mind. Through her embrace of diverse creative modalities, Taylor-Johnson has continued to address the psychic friction of selfhood, drawing out the tragedies and joys that arise when the inner self collides with the outside world.
MIA Galleries, established in 1996, is managed by MIA’s Fine Arts and Cultural Affairs Division. Its mission is to enhance the travel experience by presenting exhibitions that showcase the rich culture, diverse landscape, and artistic resources of the local community. MIA Galleries aims to elevate the passenger experience by curating a visually stimulating environment that is contemporary, thought-provoking, and reflective of the cultural depth and creativity of South Florida.
