London based artist SheOne [or James Choules] was asked to transfer his brand of abstract painting to a limited edition Trinity 3E football boot from Pelé Sports. Drawing inspiration from the New York wave graffiti era, SheOne created a black and white upper design in his iconic signature strokes. The leading cultural artist has injected his own bold approach in art that has become his trademark, known around the world.
We caught-up with SheOne to ask him about designing for the brand inspired by the greatest football player of all time; Pelé and a whole lot more.
Where are you from?
I was born in London and have lived here most of my life. I like to travel and to make work wherever I can.
Have you always been involved in art? How did your career start?
I started making Graffiti in the mid '80s, in the usual way but I guess it became more serious as a possible career towards the end of the '90s when I began to work on Canvas and began to exhibit my work to a wider public.
How did your collaboration with Pelé Sports come about?
Pelé Sports were looking for unique approach to some product and contacted me with the concept of adding my style to a boot for a limited run. This was a one off opportunity to work with a legendary name in football so I jumped at the chance.
Can you tell us a bit about the football boots you've worked on?
They're a very hi-tech leather construction so I wanted the artwork to reflect this, and also to create something that has never been seen before. Obviously Pelé is an iconic name in the history of football, so I wanted to make something that could carry that forward.
Are you a football fan?
Oh yes, I am a Chelsea supported so it's been a good year.
What is the strangest object you've ever painted and what is the best location?
I painted a 1970 Citroen DS for an exhibition in France, which was great as it is such an iconic car. Favourite location is a hard one, at the moment it's tied between a rooftop in the South Bronx and an abandoned farmhouse in a village in Gambia.
What is your dream building to paint?
That would have to be The Royal Festival Hall in London. I grew up with that building and feel it quietly defines modernism in London.
How would you describe your work in three words?
Ambient. Personal. Expressive.
What inspires you?
People, travel and music. Also making projects or painting in new places is inspiring, continually moving or looking for ways to present my work in new ways.
What projects are you working on at the moment?
In the next couple of months I am in exhibitions in London, Portland and LA. I will be painting some buildings around Southbank in London for a festival called Merge and I have a solo show opening in Bristol in October.
Get more information on Pelé Sports and SheOne's Limited Edition Trinity 3E at pele-sports.com
Interview by Sophie Robinson
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