Exhibition Label

Born San Diego, California

Shaun White, aka “The Flying Tomato” (for his long red hair), is a professional “X Games” athlete, specializing in both skate- and snowboarding. Raised in Vermont and Southern California, White has won two Olympic gold medals in the snowboard halfpipe in successive winter games (2006, 2010). He has also been a multiple medalist in other national and international boarding competitions. Having overcome a heart defect as an infant, White started skateboarding at an early age and was discovered by the modern pioneer of the genre, Tony Hawk. Hawk mentored White’s sports and business careers, helping him obtain his first endorsement as well as professional contracts in the burgeoning skate and ski industries. White is clearly Hawk’s successor as the face of alternative games, not only because of his skill on the boards but also for his infectious, effervescent personality.

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; acquired through the generosity of an anonymous donor

Restrictions & Rights

© Cass Bird

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

2006 (printed 2012)

Object number

C/NPG.2012.33

Artist

Cass Bird, born 1975

Sitter

Shaun White, born 3 Sep 1986

Topic

Exterior

Shaun White: Male

Shaun White: Olympic Medal

Shaun White: Sports and Recreation\Athlete\Snowboarding

Portrait

Medium

Digital C-print

Dimensions

Image: 51.7 x 77.5 cm (20 3/8 x 30 1/2")

Sheet: 59.2 x 85.2 cm (23 5/16 x 33 9/16")

Mat: 76.2 × 101.6 cm (30 × 40")

National Portrait Gallery

Type

Photograph