Serious sneakerheads, art lovers, and fashion followers can easily see the appeal of artist collaborations with sneaker brands. Featuring the work or design of some of the world’s most famous pop and street artists on some of the most sought after sneaker styles results in an unparalleled wearable art collectible. StockXthe premier online marketplace for exclusive sneakers, apparel, collectibles and more, is the best place to explore and buy rare and hard-to-find sneakers, including limited-edition artist collaborations.
Among the many examples of contemporary art that cross over into streetwear are the instantly recognizable work of Andy Warhol replicated for Converse, or Steve Harrington creating humorous graphics for Nike.
Below, we’ve rounded up a number of high-profile artist-inspired sneakers that caught our eye. StockX– representing only a fraction of the limited editions and popular sneaker styles you can find and buy on the platform.
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star CT Hi Casino
Andy Warhol Campbell’s Soup
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star CT Hi Casino/Andy Warhol Campbell’s Soup. Courtesy of StockX.
Pop Art pioneer Andy Warhol rose to fame in the 1960s for his unique synthesis of fine art, advertising and celebrity culture in his work. “Campbell’s Soup Cans” (1962) is one of Warhol’s most famous series, comprising 32 serigraphs of different varieties of Campbell’s soup labels. Warhol’s well-known use of the trademark in his practice makes this particular collaboration a fitting combination, with the soup can motif layered over the equally classic and recognizable Converse Chuck Taylor High Top sneakers.
A Bathing Ape Roadsta
Louis De Guzman LDG Gray
A Bathing Ape Roadsta/Louis De Guzman Gray LDG. Courtesy of StockX.
Chicago-based artist and designer Louis De Guzman draws inspiration from his past and present for his work – and has become a mainstay in the art collectibles scene. With a distinct geometry-based style and the appearance of recognizable cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny and SpongeBob SquarePants, the artist’s work alludes to personal stories of his childhood and his experiences as a Filipino American from second generation.
Nike Blazer Fly Leather
Steve Harrington Earth Day (2019)
Nike Blazer Flyleather/Steve Harrington Earth Day (2019). Courtesy of StockX.
Steve Harrington’s work is known for its whimsical and irreverent aesthetic, blending bright colors and graphic imagery with subliminal, thought-provoking ideas. Collaborating with Nike for an exclusive Earth Day-themed sneaker, Harrington anthropomorphized the planet, depicting it as a cartoon with arms and legs walking with the wearer – a possible metaphor for humanity being “in phase” with the destiny of the earth.
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star II
Futura camouflage
Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star II/Futura Camo. Courtesy of StockX.
American graffiti artist Futura (nickname used by Leonard Hilton McGurr) began working in New York’s subways in the early 1970s and is recognized as a pioneer of abstract street art, expanding the movement from stylized letters to more aesthetic forms. Futura began collaborating with clothing brands in the 1990s and has worked with companies like Supreme, Levi’s, Nike and A Bathing Ape, bringing their unique abstract graffiti style to footwear and apparel. Building on these high-profile collaborations, the artist transformed his own practice to focus on producing art largely in the form of collectibles and sneakers.
The North Face ThermoBall VS Traction Mule
KAWS Moonlight Ivory Orange
The North Face Thermoball Traction Mule VS/Kaws Moonlight Ivory Orange. Courtesy of Stock X.
KAWS, the nickname of American artist Brian Donnelly, is a dominant figure in the world of collectibles, with sculptural pieces from his “BFF” and “Companion” series regularly being the most sought-after works on the scene. The artist’s cartoon-like characters frequently include his “XX” eye design, which he included on shoes he created for North Face.
New balance 57/40
Joshua Vides
New Balance 57/40/Joshua Videos. Courtesy of StockX.
With a creative practice fueled by a passion for graffiti and streetwear, Joshua Vides has attracted high-profile collaborations across industries, including with BMW, Fendi, Puma and, as seen here, New Balance. A recognized name in the streetwear world for its own designs, its collaborations are sought after for their combination of bold design and effortless wearability.
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