Air Brushed

From pop art to DJing to sneaker design, DAVE WHITE keeps expanding his portfolio.

UK artist Dave White draws audiences like a Champions League soccer match. The 35-year-old Liverpool native got his start studying classical painting, and exhibited at the esteemed Sotheby's gallery in London while he was still a student. In '97,he took a step away from the art scene to DJ with electronic group Surreal Madrid. While on tour, White, a huge soccer fan, caught as many matches as possible, and in the process noticed an interesting parallel. "Very similar to b-boys, football supporters want to have the latest kicks," says White. "It's a whole pride thing." When he returned to painting in 2003, he addressed his love of sneakers by creating graf-inspired interpretations of his favorite kicks on canvas. White soon landed a deal with Nike, which led to last year's Air Max 95 10th anniversary pack. For early '07, White has a full line of camo-inspired clothing, prints,and stickers debuting, as well as a customized Xbox and Kidrobot toy on the way (for info, visit davewhite.me.uk). "I'm totally fascinated with pop," says White of his major influences. Love is definitely in the air.

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