The Legacy of Juke Joint
Inspired by Ernie Barnes and Daryl Price
The Legacy of Juke Joint
Great art and athlete activism are quite parallel - they both reflect the times and expressively call attention to certain things. Ernie Barnes was critical in bridging the gap between black athletes and the arts. Although a former professional NFL player, he has left an even larger mark with his artwork. This gap is important because it highlights the complexity of athletes. Ernie Barnes is the living embodiment of how multi-layered athletes truly are. He defies the stigmas of ‘athletes being one dimensional with no care or skill outside of their respective sport’. For these reasons, this rendition of the “Sugar Shack” painting is made up of shoe laces. Shoe laces are essential regardless of the sport that the athlete plays. They are representative of the secure footing that is required in deciding to publicly address social issues that affect the lives outside of the sports world.
About the piece.
Created solely out of all Reebok Classic shoes, this piece was featured at the 2022 Reebok x BUKU Music and Art Festival in New Orleans.
