Brian Jungen Turns Air Jordans Into Sculptures for Toronto Exhibition

The artist’s first-ever presentation of archival works.

Brian Jungen has taken his repurposed artworks to the Art Gallery of Ontario, opening the first-ever exhibition of his archival pieces. Entitled Brian Jungen: Friendship Centre, the installation encompasses several of the artist’s unique sculptures and masks constructed out of Air Jordans.

Known for highlighting themes around identity — he is of mixed European and Indigenous heritage — the artist constantly explores messages around cultural inequality, the environment and the craftsmanship of the Indigenous community. His colorful 3-D forms showcase various sliced-up sneakers in deconstructed shapes, providing subtle commentary on the consumption of fashion and hyped-up energy around certain footwear.

The exhibition is on view now until August 25, 2019. For more information visit the Art Gallery of Ontario’s official website.

For more art news, check out Daniel Arsham’s largest sculptural piece to date.

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas St W
Toronto, ON M5T 1G4

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Brian Jungen, Warrior 1, 2017. Nike Air Jordans, Leather, 99.06 X 81.28 X 73.66 Cm. Dallas Museum Of Art, Two X Two For Aids And Art Fund. © Brian Jungen. Photo: Jason Wyche, Brian Jungen, Owl Drugs, 2016. Nike Air Jordans, Brass, 64.1 X 57.2 X 53.3cm. Courtesy The Artist And Casey Kaplan, New York. © Brian Jungen Photo: Jean Vong, Brian Jungen, Prototype For New Understanding #5, 1999. Nike Air Jordans, Human Hair, 55.8 X 68.6 X 12.7 Cm. Private Collection. © Brian Jungen. Photo: Trevor Mills, Vancouver Art Gallery, Brian Jungen, Left To Right, 1980, 1970, 1960 (2007). Polyester, Metal, Painted Wood On Paper Sonotube, 396 X 122 X 91 Cm Each. Courtesy Of The Artist. Collection Of The Art Gallery Of Ontario. Purchased With The Assistance Of The David Yuile And Mary Elizabeth Hodgson Fund, 2007; Promised Gift Of Rosamond Ivey; Gift Of Michael And Sonja Koerner, 2018, Toronto.© Brian Jungen
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