It should come as no surprise that multidisciplinary creative Samuel Ross has released a limited edition shoe to celebrate the opening of his first exhibition of paintings at the White Cube Bermondsey in London. It shouldn’t be any further surprise that the shoe in question is made by Nike’s ISPA team; a team assembled to defy conventions and search for solutions that reduce waste and care for the planet.

The frequent collaborator (Converse, Dr Martens, and Timberland to name but a few), creative director of A-COLD-WALL**, and close friend of the late Virgil Abloh, has many strings to his artistic bow. From designer to painter and entrepreneur, Ross expresses himself in whichever way he sees fit. And, for this collection of abstract paintings on display at the prestigious London gallery, he and his design studio SR_A have chosen the medium of slip-on sneakers. More specifically, the Nike ISPA Universal.

The ISPA Universal was unveiled earlier this year in two colorway options, “Mink Brown” and “Natural”. It falls into that category of cool, slightly sporty, moc silhouettes that the likes of Merrell and Salomon have graced the footwear world with lately. Made with a molded foam body, the laceless shoes feature cork insoles and a tread underfoot. The material used is described as a “bio-foam”, although we’re unsure of what that really entails at this stage.

 

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Ross’ version of the Universal is hand painted with an organic color pattern across it, and features the SR_A wordmark embossed into its foam. The release states that these custom editions were “gifted to some of SR_A’s closest friends & family” ahead of the exhibition.

The exhibition is titled “LAND,” and displays a series of abstract works “which use imagery of collapsed landscapes and supine bodies to explore the subject of Black experience. Examining the relationship between industrial materials – utility cloth, metal and masonry paint – the exhibition engages Ross’ impulses as artist and designer.”

Catch the exhibition for yourself if you’re in town at White Cube Bermondsey, London, from April 5 to May 14 2023. And, if ultra-designed, limited edition goods are something you’re interested in seeing more of, you’d be wise to check out this one-of-one hydration jacket by Salomon.