A Sneaker Reimagined: Nigel VMU’s Concrete Tribute to Nike’s Digital Past

At Offspring’s Kings Cross Community Store, artist Nigel VMU reimagines Nike’s Air Sunder as a bold, concrete tribute to the digital optimism of the 1990s.

At Offspring’s Kings Cross Community Store, the familiar setting of a sneaker retailer has been transformed. In the centre of the space stands the AirMax Table, a sculptural piece by artist and designer Nigel VMU, created to mark the return of Nike’s Air Sunder — a lesser-known silhouette from the brand’s archive, now part of its Hi-Lighter Pack re-release.

Equal parts artwork and object, the table draws on the visual language of the 1990s: bright neon colours, pixel-inspired graphics, and the raw materials of early digital culture. Its base is formed by a pair of oversized Nike Air Sunder legs, flanked by blocky “AIRMAX” letterforms. The top is cast in solid concrete — more construction site than showroom display.

“The 90s were all about raw energy — gaming consoles, digital blocks, bright neon, and graphic overload. I wanted this piece to feel like a time capsule built with that spirit,” says Nigel.

The work was produced through VMU STUDIO, Nigel’s practice known for fusing sculpture and design with storytelling. Under its Places & Space division, the studio creates interventions in everyday environments, intended to surprise, disrupt and resonate.

“‘Places & Space’ is about designing for a place — creating sculptural moments that activate space and leave a lasting emotional impact,” says Nigel. “The Air Table isn’t just furniture. It’s memory, energy, and nostalgia rendered in physical form.”

It’s not just a nostalgic nod to a past era — the installation rethinks how brand heritage can be interpreted through design. By anchoring a sneaker in this kind of material and conceptual setting, it changes the way people engage with it. Instead of being something to wear, the Air Sunder becomes something to reflect on — part of a shared visual and cultural archive.

The table also shifts the role of the artist. Nigel isn’t simply collaborating with a brand; he’s shaping space and experience, using retail as a platform for storytelling. “It’s not about creating product,” he explains, “but creating presence.”

The AirMax Table is now on view at Offspring’s Kings Cross store — a fitting location for a piece that blends collectibility with community, and past aesthetics with present-day design culture.

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©2025 Nigel VMU