Two years ago Lee Moriarty set a goal to have his own art exhibition. The dream becomes a reality as the Ring of Honor Pure Champion prepares to have his first public showcase during Miami Art Week. Moriarty, 30, will be at the NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance) booth, part of the wrestling publication Orange Crush’s presentation
For the emerging talent, art was a way to express himself out of the ring. His parents encouraged him to continue pursuing a creative outlet. He’d draw off Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon cards, as well as Dragon Ball Z VHS tapes and issues of Game Informer Magazine. Although he took graphic design at the community college, Moriarty was largely self-taught.
“I’ve been an artist longer than I was a wrestler,” Moriarty said. “One of my goals was to have an art exhibition. I didn’t have in mind what this series was going to be at first. The more I painted, it became about professional wrestling life outside the ring. A lot of people associate professional wrestling with just violence and combat. People don’t realize the serene peaceful life a lot of us live, especially me.
“I’m a person who is closed in and keeps calm and relaxed. I like walking my dog, going out in the nature world, painting, and playing tennis, which is one of the paintings. This was a big opportunity that came to me by Adam Abdulla to have the exhibition at NADA. From December 3 through the 7th, my art will be on display for the first time. Nobody has ever seen my art outside of photos and things. To see this in person, I’m excited about it.”
Moriarty has combined two of his passions through the exhibition. A collection that presents an endearing and vibrant display of wrestlers in repose. The paintings are a tribute to the sport he loves, capturing the duality of wrestling.
“Originally when I was painting luchadors, one of my favorite aesthetics is luchadors with suits and tuxedos,” Moriarty said. “Back in the day El Santo, Blue Demon, all these guys would have really nice suits combined with the masks, which I think is so unique when it comes to professional wrestling that you won’t see anywhere else.
“I wanted to capture that with my artwork. I wanted to paint beyond just luchadors in suits. Then it became walking the dog, grilling and barbecuing, and things like that and I decided to keep the Lucha Libre wrestlers in the mask aesthetic. That is the universal imagery when it comes to professional wrestling, even if you don’t watch professional wrestling. You see a mask, and you know this guy is a pro wrestler.”
Moriarty works hard to fit art into his busy schedule as a traveling entertainer. When the traveler flies somewhere or in hotel rooms before a show, he’d get out his tablet and draw and brainstorm. The star would then put those ideas on canvas.
“I also use my tablet for graphic design,” Moriarty said. “I’ve designed all of my shirts. I’ve designed the logo you’ll see on my trunks sometimes. The tiger was a design I had before I debuted for AEW or Ring of Honor. I’m always drawing and painting. I have a camera. I’ve done photography. I like making my own scenes. I just like expressing myself creatively and building this world outside of my head.”
Moriarty appreciates the support he felt from the locker room and company. “[AEW] is very supportive of outside ventures that help the person grow as individuals and as brands. I’ve had nothing but support from the first day I posted a painting. Among those colleagues is stablemate Shane Taylor, who he’d watch on his first or second independent show. Taylor’s opponent just happened to be a future trainer in Brandon K. “I knew who [Shane] was and his story and work ethic and have a lot of respect for him,” he said.
The exciting athlete is proud of the progress he made over the past three years. Moriarty feels he got more comfortable with promos and in the ring on television. He has also put on some muscle weight, going from 175 to approaching 200. The student of the game is always looking to grow and improve.
“There was a period I was learning from Jon Moxley for a while,” he said. “There was a period I was learning from Claudio when we were donig the Texas shows. For three straight weeks, I was getting advice from him. Orange Cassidy is someone I would go to a lot. Serpentico, Jon Cruz, those guys I learned from a lot. So many people.
“I trained at Malakai Black’s school for a point. I’m very grateful and can’t express how much it meant. Even when Nigel McGuinness came back to the ring, I was in the ring training with him. I can’t express the appreciation I have that these guys are giving me the time to learn from them.”
Moriarty welcomes the latest signings in AEW with The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin arriving on the scene. Three who he sees as an example of how to build a career.
“I think they are three of the most valuable talents in the world,” he said. “They have the total package. The presentation, athleticism confidence. They inspire me to do what I’m doing in professional wrestling and my art. It’s to not settle and not just be comfortable in the spot I’m in but continue to grow as a business and brand.”
Much like pro wrestling, he has hopes for his artistic aspirations. Moriarty looks to step into more product designs from bottles to shoes. “I know AEW believes in me and hopes to help AEW expand with my art talents, I don’t have an end game when it comes to my art. It has been wherever it takes me ….I’m going to keep going and see how far I can get.”
For more information or two purchase tickets for NADA Miami 2024, visit https://nada.artsvp.com/73ace8?link=website.