Paleologism, Sneakerism, and Futurism are intriguing concepts – can you explain how these ideas converged in your work?
Well, the past, present, and future are intrinsically connected and universal across all cultures, and I love how each generation is unique yet fuels the next. I’ve always been drawn to exploring and uncovering relics from various fields – sneakers, records, furniture, clothes, and more. When my dad was young, he would go caving with his friends in the Ardèche, and they even sold fossils they found to earn a bit of money. I think that’s where my own explorer’s spirit comes from.
As for my passion for paleologism, it often feels like archaeology; removing air units from old soles, peeling back layers and cleaning them is like discovering a hidden treasure. It’s an incredible feeling, reminiscent of being a child unearthing a secret.
I’m also captivated by retro-futurism in all its forms, whether in the artwork of Hajime Sorayama or films like Star Wars (I’m a huge fan of the artistic direction in every episode) and the visionary designs of Syd Mead. Seeing how the past envisioned the future inspires me tremendously in my own paintings, for example.
How did the idea of Aircheology, specifically using Nike Air sneaker bubble came out ? What drew you to this unique medium ?
The idea came to me quite randomly one day. I was browsing through a flea market in Brussels when I stumbled upon a pair of Nike Air Max Tn from the early 2000s (the “Arsenic TN” for those in the know) priced at just five euros. I’ve always been fascinated by air units, the air technology, and the Air Max line – it’s what I grew up with. However, information about these air units was scarce and not well documented, so I thought it would be brilliant to create an archive that highlights them.
As an artist, working with these air units is incredible – they’re colourful, varied in shape, and, best of all, transparent (achieved with heat). My favourite part of the process is photographing them; I try to sculpt the light, finding the best angles to bring out their character and give them a sense of life. I jumped in because no one had done it before, and now I understand why – it’s costly, time-consuming to clean, and often, the plastic just breaks.
But through this journey, I’ve created a new community of collectors and enthusiasts, including people from the Nike team. Some have even started their own air archives, and they send me photos of their own “bubbles.” It’s fantastic!
Brussels as a rich Art scene, how has the city influenced your creativity?
Brussels is truly incredible – Belgium has always had a unique and strong creative identity. I was deeply inspired by The Sound of Belgium, a well-known documentary that explores how Belgium introduced techno to Europe and helped shape its evolution, influencing genres like German techno, Dutch hardcore, and beyond. As a visual artist, I don’t just focus on images; music and sound are powerful sources of inspiration and energy that drive all my projects. To me, music is like a landscape, something inherently visual. In fact, I often find music more inspiring than the sneakers themselves because it’s abstract and creates an atmosphere, allowing me to dream and imagine freely without being confined to a specific visual concept.
I also love the architecture here, from medieval and Brutalist styles to Art Nouveau and Burlesque. Living in a city so rich in history is a privilege; I often feel as if I’m transported across different eras. I’m inspired by Belgian art and the people here; they’re open-minded, with a distinctive, humorous, and free-spirited approach to creativity. They create without worrying about convention, and I find that incredibly inspiring.
Can you walk us through your process for creating one of your pieces of art?
My creative process can vary from project to project, it depends on what i’m working on. For the Tn paintings i was very inspired by a movement I studied in Art School that is The Futurism. This movement was born in 1909 (almost same period than Cubism) in Italia and reading the manifest written by Marinetti was completely stunning! It was talking about the new industrial era, mechanic snakes, vitess etc… So this one gave me a lot of inspiration and explains some details on my painting.
The Salomon i’m currently making is inspired by the packaging, showcasing printed Mountains seen from above, like a bird flying over them. I found it very poetic because Mountains means a lot to me : it’s rough, tough, but very contemplative and sensitive. Seeing the box i could feel the essence of eternity or something very meaningful : this picture fitted perfectly with Salomon’s slogan «designed for freedom». I was looking for a name for this one and playin’ with Salomon I found SaloMont-Blanc that is the very well known mountain in the Alps, close to Annecy were the brand was born. So I thought I was perfect for a name and it showcased perfectly the concept i had in mind : design freedom. Gabbair was influenced by the famous haircut that belongs to Gabbers (especially womens), the Air
Max BW also and the background illustrates heaven, we’re all Gabbers belong.
How has your relationship with nike and the retailers evolved, and how do you find them supporting your creative vision ?
So for now, things haven’t worked out with Nike (laugh), this year i should get two big opportunities : one with BSTN store but it was cancelled by Nike during the process and another one with Nike at Centre Pom-pidou during the Olympics games. I had to refuse because it wasn’t on my benefit but i told them that i’m still open for next projects with them. I’ve also been in touch with Nike Team in the US so something is coming maybe about the air units.
Have you worked with any other sneaker artists or brands to expand the idea of aircheology? Who would be your dream collaborator?
Not yet but it will come soon i’m sure! Working with brands/studios would be a pleasure but i think it won’t be easy to work with other artists because either of us has his own style, moreover i’m very specific so will see… If there is a good project with someone that share the same ideas and values the door is open, but you know sometimes you don’t make a collaboration only for the work, the most important is sharing knowledge, having fun and do something with someone you like i think.
For now i work alone with my own ideas, as i want to achieve some projects but when that’s done i might explore a collaboration with artists, like a crossover project, we’ll see how it goes !
In a world where technology is accelerating, how do you see your role as an artist documenting sneakers in our time ?
There’s a lot of discussion about technology, especially with AI in Art. As a huge fan of Sci-Fi movies here’s my thought : Humans create the technology in order to make things «ergonomic». Technology is a powerful tool and the way you are using it determines if it’s harmful/useful or not. In case of creating images, you can get crazy high «fiddlesticks» renderings with AI for 3D animation artworks but bad people can also use AI to create DeepFakes and Cyber Attacks etc… From my point of view, these new AI tools are a revolution for creatives, i just hope people keep using it in a smart way.
I’ve started to work on a VR project with a friend living in Montreal, we did a virtual exhibition with my paintings and it was super cool to show my work everywhere even on internet, this kind of project would never been done without technology progress, moreover, it gives more visibility to our work, as creatives. My role is not to question technology, politics or wathever because it’s already questionning it through my artworks. In this way, i just hope the technology to keep my work and the work of every creatives alife for years. Technology is just another way to achieve your dreams/Ideas/ambitions. As i said before, music sometimes help me finding colors and shades and gives a tone or a rythm to my paintings. Painting requires patience and time to be achieved, i like taking my time on a canvas because the ideas and the concept continue to morph over weeks and months.
What do you hope people take away when they look at your work ?
I hope inspiring as much people as i can, seeing that anything is possible in my world, sharing good content with knowledge, so this way people can learn something and being touched in their soul… Also being comfortable seeing that my vision is also shared by others people like me and that being different and singular is a force and not a weakness : you have to dare and fight for your own ideas/vision, do your best and people when you are true and you try hard they feel it.
It’s also super fun to meet some of my followers on events like exhibitions, this way we can share talks and feelings about my work but also things about daily life, this kind of contact mean a lot to me. When an artwork isn’t shared, you miss out on the possibilities it could bring : dare and break the rules as long as you can! Creating is entirely possible, go ahead and make your ideas possible, it’s hardworking but nothing get done by magic looking ahead.
What other projects do you have in line, and is there anything else you’d like to share with the audience?
Well the next big project concerns upcycled balaclava and it’s a big chunk ahah, because i know i’ll fail a lot and sewing is new for me so i feel very excited but anxious at the same time. When i’ll be skilled enough i’d like to make clothes with sneaker parts, they will fit with balaclava, i just can’t wait. Also i’m currently working on the Nike TN Print and it’s looking pretty good, it took me 3 years to archive enough TN’s to make it, also i tried a lot of different combinations with all these small parts to built something harmonious and create a nice pattern, hope people will enjoy it! I still have paintings to achieve and early next year i’ll planned something for the Air Max Day in March so i’m always busy and all these projects requires a lot of time, it’s a lengthy process.
Stay creative and go ahead!
