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.
Voodoo Curry
Product Details
“Voodoo Curry” Design Story:
My “Voodoo Curry” design is inspired by Louisiana Creole Voodoo culture. It is a reflection of my own Creole heritage and the deep symbolism woven throughout the tradition. I wanted to create something that not only looked visually appealing but also told a meaningful story rooted in culture, faith, and identity.
Each color on the sneaker represents a distinct spiritual meaning found within Voodoo practice:
🔴 Red – life, love, and power
🔵 Blue – peace and tranquility
🟡 Yellow – prosperity and good fortune
🟢 Green – nature and renewal
⚪️ White – purity and serenity
⚫️ Black – mystery and protection
🟣 Purple – strength, wisdom, and spiritual healing
⭐️ Gold – abundance and success
By combining these colors, I wanted to celebrate the balance between strength, spirituality, and cultural pride. I used a mixture of paint and fabric medium (GAC900) to hand-dye the suede upper, which gave the shoe a raw, textured look that feels both handmade and alive. While the process didn’t go exactly as planned, the end result turned out even better with a vibrant, imperfect, and full of character effect throughout the upper.
To reinforce the theme of protection and spiritual connection, I hand-stitched several binding stitches into the upper. The bold black outlines throughout the shoe connect these stitched panels, representing the idea of binding protection through life which is a core element in Louisiana Voodoo symbolism.
One of the standout features is the set of custom handmade tongue tags. The right tongue showcases a cartoon-style “Voodoo Curry,” while the left features a gritty “Voodoo basketball” design. These unique details add personality and storytelling to the sneaker, merging art, sport, and heritage into one piece.
Ultimately, this design represents more than just a pair of shoes. These are a bridge between culture, creativity, and self-expression. I wanted to pay tribute to my Creole roots while creating something bold, meaningful, and wearable. “Voodoo Curry” isn’t just a sneaker; it’s a celebration of color, culture, and the power of art to connect people through story.
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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
