ART IN MOTION COLLECTION

ASICS SPORTSTYLE presents ART IN MOTION COLLECTION, a limited edition release designed by three local Southeast Asian artists. Ann Irin, Kenji Chai and tobyato, put their creative spin on our most iconic shoes, the Japan S, GEL-1130, NOVABLAST, bringing you an exclusive collection!

The collaboration marks ASICS SPORTSTYLE’s commitment to uplifting the creative community and culture across the Southeast Asia region by providing local creatives with a platform to showcase their craft.

Art In Motion

NOVABLAST™

Drawing inspiration from the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, the NOVABLAST™ features an asymmetrical black and white design with a pop of pink and interchangeable velcro patches on the shoe tongue. Designed by artist tobyato, it explores the delicate balance between black and white and the co-dependency between opposite elements-which discovers a synergy that is nothing short of exceptional. The bold flowing tiger stripe motif on the shoe’s upper pays homage to the traditional Chinese belief that a tiger's breath creates the winds around the world, mirroring the flow of creativity throughout the world.

GEL-1130™

A unique spin on the classic GEL-1130™, the sneaker features an army camouflage pattern in the artist, Kenji Chai’s signature “Chaigo” colourway. As Kenji’s iconic alter ego character, “Chaigo” (Mandarin for stray dog) was created to capture his own story of survival on the streets to bring positive energy to the public. With a strong desire to connect with people through his art, he hopes to inspire others to never stop chasing their dreams.

JAPAN S™

Mirroring the aesthetic of a heritage basketball sneaker, the JAPAN S™ gives your feet and your mind a lift for every move. Incorporating her characteristic doodles, artist Ann Irin brings varied textures and hues to the shoes to reflect the history of basketball materials. From rough, traditional leather to the smooth, present-day ball and a cream colourway representing the indoor court, the JAPAN S™ is reimagined with a modern lens.

ARTIST PROFILE

Kenji Chai

KENJI CHAI

Kenji was born and raised in the city of simplicity, Sandakan, and currently lives in Kuala Lumpur. From an early age, he immersed himself into the imaginative world of comics, cartoons and storybooks, inspiring his use of cute and vibrant characters through graffiti. With over 10 years of graffiti experience and having worked with brands such as Netflix, Tiger Beer, Uniqlo and Volkswagen, Kenji has marked his legacy in cities all over the world, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, China, and Taiwan. He was also previously featured in the Malaysia Book of Records for creating the tallest graffiti mural in Kuala Lumpur.

tobyato

tobyato is a Singaporean illustrator and visual artist over many mediums. From sprawling murals to artist-brand collaborations, his artworks are often bold, striking and inspired by traditional Chinese motifs and playful influences that reflect both his own heritage and personality. As a lover of street culture, he has had the opportunity to work with brands such as ASICS, G-SHOCK, Shake Shack and Levi’s among others, steadily building a body of work that exemplifies the value of artist brand collaborations.

Tobyato
Irin

IRIN ARIYATANAPORN

Irin Ariyatanaporn (Ann) is a Thai architect and professional doodler passionate about a variety of design disciplines - Architecture, Murals and Graphic Design. She is most well-known for her mural art for Starbucks Reserve Chao Phraya Riverfront store in Bangkok and her book, "Irin café illustration Sydney", which is inspired by her love for coffee and cafes. Irin is also the founder of her own multi-discipline studio called “Ari Studio” where she works on her illustration and Architectural design projects.

Watch our Artists in Action

Art 8 Tobyato

tobyato

Art 7 Kenji

Kenji Chai

Art 9 Irin

Ann Irin