“For me, drawing on paper is the best! With drawings, you can go to the end of the world and back on the same day,” Javier Calleja poetically underlines the importance of this rudimentary technique to his creative process. Globally recognised for his character-based paintings, sculptures, and figures, Malaga-based artist always goes back to the very essence of his artistic practice and his collaboration with VANS is one of such efforts.
Throughout his career, Calleja has been regularly experimenting with techniques, materials, and scales, continuously curious about finding fresh ways to implement his visions into new surroundings. With an ongoing interest in urban fashion as well as driven about making his art more approachable and seen, his VANS capsule was an intuitive continuation of his exploration.
OG Chukka Boot LX Turtle dove
For this project, he designed patterns for some of his personal favourite sneakers and footwear fusing the brand’s iconic designs with his iconic visuals. Using the OG collection as the blank canvas, the artists applied his big-eyed characters and textual elements, facilitating the new sphere for them to exist in and communicate with the world.
“For me, the audience is as important as the art and I feel like the painting without people, is nothing,” Calleja concludes, revealing the necessity for such projects for him and his work.
The Vault by Vans x Javier Calleja collection will be available beginning February 5, 2022, at select Vault by Vans retailers. For more information, and where to purchase, please visit The Drop List, a calendar of Vans’ most exclusive product drops.
©2022 Javier Calleja, Vans
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