Sneakers are one of the most exciting and fast-changing phenomena in youth culture today. Sneakers moved out of the world of sports and became part of pop culture, as well as street and high fashion. They have also earned cult status among the serious wearers and collectors, followed by a series of limited editions, collaborations between sport-shoe companies, and designers/artists.

My sneaker project, modeled from a limited edition of Nike Dunk from my own collection, participates in the urban sneaker culture through the creative possibilities of the sneaker-form. It also challenges its extremely fast-changing and fame focused scene by using ceramics, one of the most traditional and labor-intensive mediums. Viewers will be able to enjoy the details and patterns on the ceramic sneakers, whilst being able to question what is behind the form by observing the various deformations of the pieces that often engage our emotions.



Kang S. Lee is a  living and working in Mexico City, Mexico.

Kang S. Lee pointed to the Nike Dunk from his own personal sneaker collection for his latest project, creating abstract ceramic sculptures of the classic Nike high-top basketball shoe. Lee's depicts the evolution of the Nike Dunk over the years by portraying each ceramic sculpture with a unique trademark, whether it be a tonal cement speckling, split in half with meticulous textiles and graphics printed on the interior, or growing spikes on the toe like fungi thriving on a dead tree. Lee certainly has an interesting take on the Nike Dunk but his collection doesn't stop with that shoe, as he will complete a series of 50-100 different sculptures of kicks from other brands like Converse, adidas, Reebok and Vans.


Kang Seung Lee