Created in partnership with Rakuten, brought together thousands of custom sneaker artists from across the US and Europe. With Rakuten’s support, the competition became one of the largest creator-driven sneaker showcases ever produced, giving emerging artists a platform on a global stage. From thousands of entries, just 100 creators were shortlisted by a world-class judging panel featuring leaders across sport, design, music, and sneaker culture. These Top 100 designs formed the Art of the Game Official Collection - a rare, curated snapshot of sneaker culture at its most innovative. The journey concluded in San Francisco, where the finalists were flown out for a filmed finale with the Judges. This finale marked a milestone moment: a celebration of creators, culture, and the evolution of custom sneakers as a legitimate art form. Now, for the first time ever, you can own a piece of this history. Each Top 100 sneaker - whether the original pair or a made-to-order version in your size - represents a creator who rose above thousands to earn their place in this landmark Rakuten x Stephen Curry series. This isn’t just a sneaker. It’s a piece of the Art of the Game legacy - and a chapter in the future of sneaker culture.
Heart Over Height
Product Details
In this custom, I wanted to create a design focusing on the theme “Heart Over Height”, including some of the players that inspire me to just keep being myself and block out the outside noise.
The right shoe features Muggsy Bogues (shortest player ever to play in the NBA at 5’3), Steph Curry(told by NBA scouts he was too skinny and not athletic enough), and Allen Iverson( became one of the most lethal scorers in the NBA because of his quickness and handles).
The left shoe features Dawn Staley, Sue Bird, and Becky Hammon, who are all legendary point guards in the WNBA who found success despite them being considered undersized in the league.
Across both sneakers is the main message, Heart over Height in a pop art/graffiti style. For each player, I painted on a leather strip using stencils I created, cut them out, and glued them onto the sneaker using shoe cement. one of my favorite details is that the tongues have pieces cut from a basketball, one has a logo I created representing the theme and the other a painting of a heart representing the love for the game
Read the full story of the artwork
This product has been made by the Creator previously and is part of their amazing portfolio. The Creator has listed this item as available to remade for clients.
Additional customisation elements may be available.
Own The Art. Wear The Story.
Discover the Top 100 sneakers from the CANVVS Global Competition - designs hand-picked by our judges from thousands of entries worldwide. Each pair is created by a rising creator pushing the boundaries of art, culture and sneaker design.
By owning one, you’re not just buying a sneaker - you’re supporting emerging talent, championing creativity, and wearing a piece of global competition history.
A HISTORIC COLLABORATION
