Sneakerheads! Explore the history of kicks at the Art Gallery of WA

Dominion Rubber Company Fleet Foot, ca. 1925 Collection of the Bata Shoe Museum Photo: Hal Roth Courtesy American Federation of Arts/Bata Shoe Museum.

Culture Juice, the Art Gallery of WA’s new contemporary culture series, launched with the Sneakerheads season this month.

The multi-dimensional celebration of sneaker culture and coincides with the exclusive showing of the international exhibition; The Rise of Sneaker Culture.

The Sneakerheads season at the Art Gallery of WA (AGWA) lets audiences explore sneaker culture across design, sport, fashion and music  through collaborations with Curtin University, Department of Sport and Recreation, WA Fashion Council, West Australian Music and Highs & Lows.

Designed to accompany the international exhibition, The Rise of Sneaker Culture originating at the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto and organised by American Federation of Arts, Sneakerheads kicked off April 5 with the first of three WA sneaker displays.

Local sneaker collector Lee Ingram shares shoes from his celebrated collection of Asics – the largest private collection in the world. Ingram also joins AGWA as Sneakerhead-in-Residence.

AGWA Director Stefano Carboni said sneakers have moved from sport to street to being a worldwide cultural icon.

“The Gallery is excited to bring the international exhibition The Rise of Sneaker Culture to Australia and also celebrate the passion, knowledge and prized collections of WA sneakerheads.”

For more information on Sneakerhead Season and The Rise of Sneaker Culture, head to the Art Gallery of WA website or sneak in to the Perth Cultural Centre for a look at the free exhibition.