freehand profit turns rare and retro sneakers into gas masks
image courtesy of freehandprofit

 

 

 

these gas mask designs take the term ‘sneakerhead’ to a whole new level. with an interest in hip-hop, graffiti and shoes, L.A-based artist freehand profit (gary lockwood) deconstructs coveted kicks and turns them into elaborately crafted gas masks. ‘the shoes on our feet came to represent a part of our identity.’ he says ‘the lines, color and textures of sneakers sold today even parallel those used by graffiti artists.’ a retro pair of air jordan 3’s are totally transformed into a wearable art piece, with full portions of the original sneaker retained and repurposed into the design; the coveted adidas x jeremy scott denim wings collaboration shoe is reformed into a surreal face mask; ewing 33 hi ‘red suede’ sneakers are modeled with an accompanying shoulder harness acting as body armor.

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
ewing 33 hi ‘red suede’ sneaker gas mask
image courtesy of freehandprofit

 

 

 

but why a gas mask? ‘mask making is an ancient art form and I look to link our modern times to this ancient art.’ the artist describes ‘the gas mask is the mask of our times, it represents atrocities at war, civil unrest, environmental damnation and works both as a symbol of fear and of protection. it also tips its hat to the keepers of the graffiti flame who wore/wear respirators and masks to protect their lungs from their poisonous art of choice. the ties to hip-hop’s original art form deepen when we examine the language within graffiti- the act of painting renamed “bombing” solidified the warlike nature of the art form.’

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
image by G M D THREE

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
image by G M D THREE

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
‘white cement’ III mask
image courtesy of freehandprofit

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
air jordan ‘stealth’ III
image courtesy of freehandprofit

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
created from a single pair of the 2011 jordan retro, the ‘stealth’ color way features classic tones of grey, black and red
image courtesy of justin butts / freehandprofit

freehand profit sneakers gas masks

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
jordan spizike ‘knicks blue’ gas mask
image courtesy of freehandprofit

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
jordan spizike ‘knicks blue’ gas mask
image courtesy of freehandprofit

freehand profit sneakers gas masks
adidas x js denim wings mask
image courtesy of freehandprofit

freehand profit turns rare and retro sneakers into gas masks
making-of
image courtesy of freehandprofit

 

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freehand profit turns rare and retro sneakers into gas masks
 
freehand profit turns rare and retro sneakers into gas masks
 
freehand profit turns rare and retro sneakers into gas masks
 
freehand profit turns rare and retro sneakers into gas masks