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.
The Underdog
Product Details
The meaning of this design carries a lot of weight to me. So I recently have been blessed with a son as of Nov 1st and it had me thinking of things I want to teach him as he grows. A thought came to my head perseverance, I think this quality out weighs talent, and work ethic. That's were these shoes come in Titled "The Underdog". A story about a little boy how loves basketball but in the beginning (left shoe) he never gets picked or last one picked to play. His heart is there but in the beginning his game isn't, bricking shots and lacking skills. The little boy struggles with himself like should I really be doing this or quit. This all happens on the left shoe. The right shoe is to show that he persevered and continue to work on this game. Working on drills, in the gym shooting and hitting shots, and over time he is growing as a basketball player and in age. The final panel on the right shoe shows him older and his game is on a whole new level and dunking on cats. The meaning of this shoe applies to so much more than the game of basketball but in life. The ability to pick yourself up when you fail, to realize there will be ups and downs and to keep fighting for it. Things I wan to teach my son, things I have learned as an artist and former athlete. I believe Steph Curry himself has this in him, they said he was underdog himself but look at him now four time champion and one of the greatest shooters ever.
I am in my UNC status these days and remember the days I used to play video game NBA street haha. I wanted this pair to have some of that style and flare of that game. My style on these also influenced by one of my favorite artist Frank Morrison amazing story teller so I wanted to bring something some much more than just a cool custom but one that can tell a story. I wanted them to be bright colors to catch your eye from a distance and once you get up close have the shoe take you through an important life lesson.
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
