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We have been keeping you up to date with all the latest on the Artist Series editions of the Air Max LeBron VII from the More Than A Game World Tour. So far, King James and the tour have hit a few U.S. cities like Chicago, Washington D.C. and Akron and now it’s on to Asia where LeBron will make stops in three Chinese cities this week. The other day, we gave you a sneak preview of the Artist Series LeBron VII’s from China, and now it’s time to take a closer look at the Beijing edition. The shoe was hand-painted by artist, Le Quiqui, who has given the shoe a shiny gold and orange look to represent for Beijing, complete with nods to the architecture and tradition of the city, as well as some Chinese proverbs and more personal homages to LeBron. Keep reading after the jump for a more detailed account of the artist’s motivation and a bunch of close-ups that will allow you to see the finer details of the Beijing Artist Series installment of the Air Max LeBron VII.
Beijing Artist Collaboration
At a presentation that took place during Nike’s grassroots activities in Beijing, Le Quiqui gave James a uniquely designed pair of Air Max LeBron VII shoes.
Le Quiqui was inspired by the idea of Old Beijing, which is the translation for LeBron’s nickname in China, “Lao Beijing”. The designer chose gold as the key color, which represents the sun’s power and the imperial heritage of the city. The Si He Courtyard on the shoe exemplifies Beijing’s unique architectural style in the traditional days of the city. The shape is exaggerated to spell out the letters LBJ.
Traditional Beijingese place proverbs on the gate pillars of their homes. The proverb in the design means “keep going, don’t stop”, which ties back to LeBron’s unstoppable and “bring everything” attitude on the court. The lion on the shoe represents the two stone lions that are frequently present in traditional Chinese architecture at the home gates to show prestige and status. The lion is also one of LeBron’s signature symbols.
“The eye at the back of the shoe is my good wish to LeBron…I wish for him to always have full visibility both on court and off court,” says Quiqui
Li Quiqui is 28-years-old and draws his inspiration from the Beijing’s art and street culture. His work includes Animation, Graphic Design, Graffiti and Skateboard Design.
6 Responses to “Nike Air Max LeBron VII – Artist Series – Beijing Edition by Le Quiqui”
August 24th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
Sickest ones yet. first
August 24th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
LOL HIS NOT EVEN A CHAMPION TO HAVE SO MANY DIF KINDS OF THIS CRAAAAPPPPPP LOL
August 24th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I can get jiggy to dis
August 24th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
nice, this one can be mass produced. come on nike!
August 25th, 2009 at 5:11 pm
enough with the beijing shit
August 25th, 2009 at 6:25 pm
Yo I like how creative they get wit da shoe but it takes away from how the lebron shoe is. What I mean is that any of the original designs is taken away and looks like plane shoe with art all over it. Def Sick but incorporate it around the original designs.