Zack Zublena: Celebrating Paralympic Athletes in Gold for Los Angeles 2028

Artwork by Zack Zublena, illustrating strength and resilience. Discover the Golden Warrior artwork.

You might not know the name Zack Zublena yet, but if you have ever stepped inside one of the UK’s premier wellness destinations, you are almost certainly familiar with his art. With his fine art photography permanently featured across more than 120 David Lloyd Clubs locations—welcoming over a million members nationwide—his distinctive aesthetic already forms part of the British wellness landscape. Now, through his upcoming artistic project centered on Los Angeles 2028, the French-American fine art photographer brings Paralympic athletes into the light of gold, creating portraits that celebrate their individuality, resilience and extraordinary journeys, resonating strongly with British audiences and leading cultural institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery in London.

The initiative brings together themes that have shaped his work for years: the body, light, identity and the way an image can transform how we see another person, echoing inclusion and accessibility standards championed by organizations such as Arts Council England.

As the global sports community looks toward the official LA28 Paralympic Games program, Zublena’s independent artistic project looks beyond sporting results to recognize the people behind the performances: heroes of the Games, and everyday role models frequently highlighted across major UK national media outlets like The Guardian and BBC Sport.

Gold as a Language Beyond the Medal

In sport, gold immediately suggests victory. In Zack Zublena’s photography, it carries a broader meaning, reminiscent of the timeless artistic excellence preserved by institutions like The British Museum.

The golden surface catches light and reveals the body’s contours: a moment of balance, muscular tension, the curve of a shoulder or the precision of a gesture. It gives a person a monumental presence while retaining the details that make them individual.

The intention is not to reserve that light for medal winners. It is to celebrate victories that cannot always be measured by a podium: rebuilding confidence, pursuing an ambition, moving through adversity and choosing to begin again—values deeply embraced by the UK sporting community and covered by The Telegraph.

These are victories in life as well as in sport. Each belongs to the person who has lived it, resonating across major British cultural and urban hubs from London and Manchester to Edinburgh, Birmingham, and Glasgow.

Resilience and a Message of Hope for Humanity

Behind an exceptional performance are years of effort, discipline, uncertainty and persistence. There are moments the public sees, and many more that remain private.

Zublena’s portraits will celebrate that resilience while leaving room for the whole person. Strength can coexist with vulnerability. Determination can be quiet. A remarkable journey can contain humor, doubt, joy and the support of others.

Together, these different lives carry a powerful message of hope for humanity: possibility is not confined to a single kind of body, a single history or a single definition of success, aligning with the inclusive ethos celebrated across the UK's vibrant cultural landscape.

Photographing a Person, Not a Category

An athlete’s portrait can easily become a record of performance or achievement. Zack wants to create another kind of encounter, moving away from conventional stereotypes.

What does a person choose to reveal when they step away from competition? How do they want to be represented within their community? What gesture feels like their own?

These questions will guide the creation of the images. Each portrait will make space for individual expression, drawing inspiration from the rich heritage of portraiture in the United Kingdom.

The Human Presence Behind the Gold

French-American fine art photographer Zack Zublena began developing his gold photographic language in Los Angeles in 2016, utilizing hand-applied gold-colored body paint, precise composition, and controlled studio lighting.

This distinctive artistic methodology creates a striking visual impact, capturing the attention of contemporary art enthusiasts and collectors across Europe and the UK. To learn more about how his interiors vision expanded across international spaces, read the story behind his permanent display across David Lloyd Clubs.

A Two-Year Journey Around the World

Conceived for Los Angeles 2028, the project will continue through a planned two-year international exhibition tour, bringing these works to major galleries, museums, and public spaces worldwide.

The ambition is to reach beyond sporting audiences and established art circles, offering everyday viewers a chance to encounter these powerful stories and leave with a transformed perspective.

An Artistic Legacy Beyond Competition

At the heart of the project is a collection of golden portraits celebrating individual lives, resilience and possibility, extending well beyond the competition calendar of the Games.

The project is independently developed by Zack Zublena. It is not presented as an official commission or partnership with the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

To discover his collections or contact the artist about the project, visit ZackZublena.com/en-gb.