LJ Rader, a digital artist who gained prominence for his social media accounts comparing iconic sports photography with classical art, has been named one of TIME's 100 Most Influential Creators of 2026.
Rader, who operates under the handles @ArtButSports on X and @ArtButMakeItSports on Instagram, is recognized for his distinctive approach to content creation. His work involves pairing visually or emotionally resonant sports moments with meticulously chosen classical art pieces. For example, a photograph of New York Knicks captain Jalen Brunson's missed three-pointer and OG Anunoby's game-winning tip-in during the final seconds of game four of the 2026 NBA Finals was placed alongside the sculpture "Laocoön and His Sons." Rader noted the compositional and emotional mirroring between the two.
Other examples of Rader's pairings include placing a snapshot of celebrity attendees at Madison Square Garden next to a work by Manet, or envisioning a moment from an NHL game in the style of Honoré Daumier's "La République."
His cross-cultural endeavor and extensive knowledge of art culminated in the release of his book, "Art But Make It Sports: Epic Matchups Where Art and Sports Collide," in March.