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.
Through the Thorns
Product Details
Through the Thorns” is a custom basketball shoe design that represents growth shaped through adversity. My connection to this theme comes from my own life. In high school, both of my parents suffered strokes, and shortly after, my brother was hospitalized due to a car accident. During that period, I felt overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of what stability looked like. Basketball and art became the places where I could breathe. They were not just hobbies, they were how I processed pain and learned how to keep going.
The roses on the shoe represent what grows from perseverance. The thorns symbolize the difficult seasons that carve resilience into us. Thorns are sharp, uncomfortable, and unavoidable just like the moments in life that test you. But thorns also protect the rose as it grows.The design moves from small buds at the heel to a full bloom to show that progress happens gradually, step by step. I created this piece to honor my journey and to connect with others who are navigating their own thorn-filled chapters. Your bloom can still come.
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
