For many of us, sneakers have become an essential part of our cultural identity. What we wear on our feet often symbolises a common ground for many of those that share the same styles and values. For contemporary artist Nick Smith this has been the long-lasting conceptualisation. 

Coming to life through his latest body of creative work that looks to underpin the curiosity of sneaker culture. To find out more, some of the FP team took a trip down to his latest exhibition to see what gems we could spot out from the sneaker archives!  

Housed in the lively backdrop of Convent Garden, the ‘POLYTHEISM’ exhibition dives into the cultural phenomenon that is sneakers. Delving deep into the hype of collector culture, and their comparative value to faith through its devotion to inspire, and emulate those emotional connections. 

With the symbolic meaning of ‘Polytheism’ rooted in the worship of more than one God, Nick Smith’s solo embodiment of work aims to look at the loyalty and sacrifice of individuals to collect the most premium and high-heat products that the industry has got to offer.

Chronicling sneaker pastures old and new, Nick presents a grail-like catalogue of seventeen sneakers, with 10 accompanied by his pixelated style collages. Utilising custom-made colour swatches to recreate many of those ‘Hall of Fame’ shoes you know and love. Accompanied by a slew of emotive text derived from a biblical tongue, that transcends Nick’s unique calibre of work way beyond what the eyes can see. 

Championing its rich conceptual flair over two floors of the Rhodes Contemporary pop-up art gallery, POLYTHEISM was a true credit to our sneaker scene. Offering a one-of-a-kind sighting to many of those high consortium products that will continue to be admired by hand and eye for generations to come!

Take a look at our visit to the POLYTHEISM exhibition below!