Is This The Finish Line Or The Beginning? (2022) Drawing by Anton Terziev

The artwork "Is This The Finish Line Or The Beginning?" by Anton Terziev is a stunning piece that encapsulates the complex, multifaceted nature of MMA fighter Tony Ferguson's journey—triumph and decay, both physical and emotional. This drawing, rendered in pencil and pale gold on 220 lb white paper, offers a nuanced exploration of Ferguson’s identity and experience as an athlete.
The choice of materials, particularly the use of pencil and pale gold, evokes an emotional intimacy with the subject. The pencil gives the piece an almost sketch-like, raw quality, reflecting the grueling and often brutal nature of combat sports. The pale gold accents, on the other hand, offer a subtle nod to victory and the glory of athletic achievement, yet they are faint enough to symbolize the fragility of the triumph. The interplay between light and shadow, created through the delicate pencil strokes, seems to suggest the tension between the moments of success and the aftermath of physical and mental wear.
The artist’s use of contrast and texture in the depiction of Ferguson’s face and physique is remarkable. The fighter’s expression—caught somewhere between elation and pain—immediately speaks to the duality of his career. Terziev captures Ferguson’s facial features in a way that emphasizes both his strength and vulnerability. The muscularity of Ferguson’s neck and shoulders stands in stark contrast with the more fragile aspects of his face, such as the tension around his eyes and mouth, possibly hinting at the internal battles fighters face long after the physical contest has ended.
The title, "Is This The Finish Line Or The Beginning?" speaks volumes about the cyclical nature of the fighter's existence. In MMA, the line between victory and defeat is razor-thin, and Terziev’s work subtly reflects this paradox. The artist appears to question not just the finality of a fighter’s career but the very nature of success and failure. Is the moment of triumph an endpoint, or does it represent the start of further struggles, physically and mentally?
The drawing may be seen as a meditation on the toll that MMA takes on its athletes. Ferguson, often celebrated for his relentless fighting style, is rendered with an almost tragic dignity, underscoring the physical and psychological cost of a life in the octagon. The line between glory and decay, triumph and exhaustion, is depicted with sensitivity, turning a brutal profession into a poignant narrative about the human condition.
The use of pale gold further emphasizes the contrast between glory and decline. Gold, often associated with victory, prestige, and wealth, can also be seen as a symbol of something fading. In this piece, the gold color hints at Ferguson's past glory—his triumphs—but its pale, almost fragile application suggests the ephemeral nature of success. It serves as a subtle commentary on the temporary nature of fame in combat sports, where the finish line is always just around the corner.
At its core, the piece conveys a sense of melancholy, where triumph is intertwined with sacrifice. The image doesn’t glorify the violence of MMA but instead brings to the forefront the emotional weight carried by the athlete. The facial expression of Ferguson is key to this narrative—his teeth bared in a grimace, perhaps of exertion or exhaustion, is a moment frozen in time that questions the real cost of achievement.
Anton Terziev's "Is This The Finish Line Or The Beginning?" is not only a physical portrayal of Tony Ferguson but an exploration of the internal conflicts faced by a fighter. The juxtaposition of triumph and decay, reinforced through technique, color, and form, allows the viewer to reflect on the transient nature of success in a sport defined by violence and sacrifice. The work invites contemplation on the very essence of human resilience, where every victory carries with it the seeds of future struggle, and every battle fought, whether won or lost, is only one chapter in an ongoing, cyclical journey.

Foto material used: photo by Harry How/Getty Images depicts American professional mixed martial artist Tony Ferguson a.k.a El Cucuy

LAS VEGAS, NV – OCTOBER 06: Tony Ferguson looks on while competing against Anthony Pettis in their lightweight bout during the UFC 229 event inside T-Mobile Arena on October 6, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Part of No Time For Losers series (2019-)

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