The celebration of a major milestone merits its own memorable imagery, and the 2023 US Open will feature both, thanks to the striking design of this year's theme art.
Designed by Camila Pinheiro, a 40-year-old illustrator and mother of two from São Paulo, Brazil, this year’s theme art is an eye-catching portrait of a 1973-era Billie Jean King in front of a bright and bold New York skyline, which will be featured in a variety of colorways. Pinheiro is the first woman to design the US Open’s theme art in a decade, and she says that the final product encapsulates both the perennial spirit of the US Open, and all that’s historic about this year’s edition, which will celebrate 50 years since King and her peers first earned the same prize money as their male counterparts at the event.
Even being considered for selection, Pinheiro said, “was already a great achievement and a joy.” But to ultimately have her design chosen from five finalists as the backdrop for such a momentous occasion?
“It means a lot. It’s indescribable,” she recently told usopen.org. “It’s an immense satisfaction to be part of something so big and important.”
Perhaps fittingly, the Brazilian also gets to come full-circle with this opportunity. She first told her father, himself an avid tennis player, at the age of 5 that she wanted to play, too—but she quickly found herself drawn to an area of the game that wasn't forehands and backhands.
“I bought a pink racquet, and an all-matching outfit from Sergio Tacchini at the time. Indeed, I was more interested in fashion,” she said, also recalling that she always found tennis to be visually appealing. Today, she says tennis remains her favorite sport: She plays nearly every weekend with her husband, is happy that her 2-year-old daughter is taking an interest in it, and follows the results of Carlos Alcaraz, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Maria Sakkari.
Before moving into a full-time career as an illustrator, Pinheiro worked for six years at branding agencies—as well as for the fashion house Dior in Brazil—and studied at the famed Marangoni art school in Milan, Italy. The eye for style and flair that revealed itself at an early age, and continued through her studies at the Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM) and the Panamericana Art School in São Paulo, helped Pinheiro pull together what became her final design for this year’s theme art. Her love for music also played a part.
"When I started researching pictures of Billie Jean King [in] 1973, I was delighted with her figure,” Pinheiro said. “Is there anything cooler than playing tennis at a Grand Slam wearing round eyeglasses? [With] the haircut, the round eyeglasses and that ‘70s collar outfit—I also added the lipstick, an item that became Billie's trademark today—she looked like a rock star. Not only looked, but, to be fair, she is a rock star and the US Open is a true show in the heart of New York.
“The past, for me, is very important to understand the moments we are in. When I received the theme, the 50th anniversary of equal prize money for women tennis players at the US Open, everything was already falling into place in my head; everything made sense.”
While Pinheiro’s inspiration struck from a wide array of sources—she also researched tournament history and studied more than four decades worth of previous US Open art—she added that the key to executing her vision successfully was, in fact, about keeping things simple.
“I looked for simplicity, powerfulness, and the feeling of great excitement,” she said. “I wanted to convey a feeling of celebration, joy, enthusiasm. In the case of this specific art, which is a portrait, the person must be recognized, which is an even bigger challenge when it comes to a design that I tried to simplify as much as possible.
“I simplified the drawing to make it stronger and more impactful. Also, the colors were chosen thoroughly to bring the vibrations and celebration spirit that I wanted.”
Through her art, Pinheiro says she also wants to send a message those who’ll see her design on posters and merchandise around the US Open grounds.
“I want people to look back and see the achievements and value that we have in the present,” Pinheiro said. “I want this art to convey a sense of great excitement for the achievement and justice achieved by this great woman, and for us to continue to value women and recognize each one for their contributions today.
“Equal payment, for me, means justice and hope. As an artist, I’m never tired of portraying women and telling their stories.”
