Patterson’s work has a strong ‘outsider art’ feel that reflects graffiti and tattoo culture in thick-lined drawings, and tends to communicate the chaos of the streets – but this AF-1 doesn’t come in blasting. Instead, it lands like a nod to the underground lore of Patterson’s scene, blacked-out but for the white Swoosh and pops of detail. There’s an embroidered, dizzy-eyed skull on the quarter (one of the artist’s recurring motifs) and hand-scripted ‘CLAYTON’ logo on woven fabric at the heel.
The sneaker has been seeded to Patterson’s inner circle in the lead-up to the artist’s new exhibition and photography book Concrete Chronicles. Will there be a wider release? Highly doubtful, but keep it locked for more, if and when it comes in.
Got you thinking about streetwear reads? Check out our round-up of books every sneakerhead should give a look-in.