JISBAR Brings Art of the Game to San Francisco During Super Bowl Week

San Francisco is set to transform into a vibrant crossroads of art, sport, and street culture as internationally renowned French pop-street artist JISBAR brings his highly anticipated solo exhibition, Art of the Game, to Gallery 444. Opening on January 29, 2026, and running through February 7, this dynamic showcase arrives at the perfect cultural moment, coinciding with the electrifying energy of Super Bowl week in the Bay Area. With its bold reinterpretations of iconic imagery and its celebration of athletic achievement, Art of the Game promises not just a visual feast but a meaningful fusion of artistic expression and community impact that reflects the very pulse of contemporary culture.

JISBAR, born Jean-Baptiste Launay, has emerged as one of the most compelling figures in contemporary pop and street art. Known for remixing classical masterpieces with modern pop culture, fashion, sport, and urban graphics, his instantly recognizable style is as visually arresting as it is culturally resonant. Whether it’s the Mona Lisa in a football jersey or a vibrant reimagining of a Klimt or Vermeer, JISBAR’s work invites viewers to experience the unexpected and to engage with familiar icons in new and surprising ways.

Art of the Game reflects this signature approach. The exhibition explores the intersection of athleticism and artistry, recontextualizing legendary sports figures through the lens of classical iconography and graffiti-inspired spontaneity. The result is an eclectic and energetic collection that feels both timeless and urgent. From Muhammad Ali to Willie Mays, the visual language JISBAR employs speaks not only to the heroes of sport but to the global audiences who idolize them.

The decision to stage this show in San Francisco, at Gallery 444 on Post Street, is especially meaningful for the artist. It was here that JISBAR had his first international solo exhibition nearly a decade ago, and the return marks a full-circle moment in a career that has seen rapid and continued ascent. Now a prominent figure in the global art world, his work is collected across continents and has entered a new phase of recognition. In 2025 alone, a private Greek collector acquired one of his pieces for over €600,000, while a 2x3 meter canvas sold in New York for $100,000 — clear signals that his art has transitioned from underground street culture into highly collectible, investment-grade status.

Timed to coincide with Super Bowl week, Art of the Game takes full advantage of the cultural excitement and international attention that will engulf San Francisco during this period. The opening night reception on January 29 is

expected to draw a diverse crowd of art lovers, sports enthusiasts, celebrities, and collectors. As the city hosts one of the biggest events in American sports, this exhibition offers a unique cultural counterpoint — a chance to reflect on how sport and art intersect, influence, and elevate one another.

At the heart of the exhibition is more than just aesthetic innovation. JISBAR has dedicated the centerpiece of the show — a large-scale canvas measuring 180cm by 120cm — to a charitable cause. This one-of-a-kind artwork will be auctioned off with all proceeds benefiting The BAHC Foundation, a Bay Area nonprofit that supports local youth through sports-based mentorship programs and the creation of safe spaces for play and growth. This philanthropic element underscores JISBAR’s belief that art has a role to play not only in cultural dialogue but in real-world impact, particularly when it comes to uplifting underserved communities.

This integration of creativity and social responsibility speaks volumes about the artist’s values and the evolution of the contemporary art world itself. More and more, artists like JISBAR are rejecting the notion that art should exist in isolation from society. Instead, they are using their platforms and their work to engage with urgent issues and to forge connections between people, cultures, and experiences.

JISBAR’s career is already marked by these kinds of cross-disciplinary collaborations. He has worked with high-profile brands such as BMW, Ducati, and Patek Philippe, infusing his street-informed aesthetic into luxury and lifestyle products. These partnerships illustrate his unique ability to navigate the line between mainstream appeal and artistic integrity, positioning him as both a cultural influencer and a respected creative voice in the fine art market.

Visitors to Art of the Game can expect more than a standard gallery experience. JISBAR’s installations are immersive and often layered with visual surprises — coded messages, cultural references, and a playful subversion of classical norms. His work challenges perceptions while remaining accessible and fun, making it as engaging to casual fans as it is to serious collectors. In this way, his art reflects the spirit of sport itself: communal, competitive, emotional, and transformative.

San Francisco, with its deep artistic roots, technological innovation, and progressive spirit, serves as an ideal backdrop for this show. The city has long embraced creative experimentation and diversity of thought — qualities that align perfectly with JISBAR’s practice. By bringing Art of the Game to Gallery 444 during Super Bowl week, he taps into the city’s vibrant energy and the global spotlight, while giving back to a community that helped launch his career.

As the exhibition runs through February 7, Art of the Game stands as more than just a gallery show. It’s a cultural moment — one that celebrates the fusion of art and athleticism, elevates community engagement, and showcases the work of an artist who is not only redefining street art but also redefining the role of the artist in the modern world. Whether you’re drawn in by the colors, the icons, the cause, or the curiosity, JISBAR’s latest show promises an experience that’s as bold and unforgettable as the city and the event that inspired it.