When fashion meets art: Onitsuka Tiger has transformed its London flagship into a gallery. Exhibitions Value

Art and fashion have long had a deep connection, in which unexpected collaborations often ignite the magic of beauty.

This summer, the fun surprise comes from legendary Japanese fashion label Onitsuka Tiger and Art Intelligence Global (AIG), an art consultancy founded by contemporary art rainmakers Yuki Terese, Amy Cappellazzo and Adam Chin. When their creative minds collide, the result is Tiger Gallery – an out-of-the-box project that transforms the streetwear brand’s flagship stores into gallery spaces.

The first contemporary artist to grace the walls of Tiger Gallery is Ugandan auction star Godwin Champs Namuyimba. His artistic vision dominates Onitsuka Tiger’s main gallery in Regent Street, London until 17 September 2022.

Tiger Gallery in Regent Street, London
Tiger Gallery to Inaugurate Ugandan Artist Godwin Champs Namuyimba

When Yuki Terese and Amy Cappellazzo left Sotheby’s last year, many were wondering where they would go next. Raising eyebrows in the art world, the two auction house heavyweights came together to form AIG – a company with a global vision tapping the young Asian market.

Terrass joined Sotheby’s in 2011 and has overseen the major contemporary art sales in Asia since 2018, after being named department head. Known for her creative approach, Teras has led the impressive sales of trend icons in 2019, from popular Korean rapper TOP to the “King of Mandopop” Jay Choo in 2021.

Before working with Sotheby’s, Cappellazzo was an art consultant, curator and key figure at the Art Basel Foundation in Miami Beach. In the year In 2016, when Sotheby’s bought her art consultancy firm; Art agency, partners (AAP) began directing the $85 million auction house’s expanded international art division as chair of the fine art department.

And co-founder Adam Chin was chief operating officer at Sotheby’s from 2017 to 2018, leading the company’s global marketing.

In an interview with The value Last year, when talking about the future of AIG, Terese and Capellazzo mentioned the importance of making full use of the exhibition space. And this year, the duo chose the most unexpected gallery location – the streetwear brand’s flagship store.

Amy Cappellazzo (left) and Yuki Terese (right), founders of art consulting firm, Art Intelligence Global (AIG).

Adam Chin, former chief operating officer of Sotheby’s, is now co-founder of Art Intelligence Global (AIG).

In fact, it is not without reason that AIG has chosen Onitsuka Tiger as their long-term partner. In the year Beginning as a pioneering performance shoe in 1949, Onitsuka Tiger began with a commitment to promoting the health of young people, and since then the brand has continued to innovate and evolve into a major global fashion and lifestyle label.

In recent years, Onitsuka Tiger striped trainers have become fashionable for young people – especially in China, South Korea and Thailand. Committed to promoting and supporting artistic talent, the brand collaborates with a wide variety of creative souls, from visual artists and fashion designers to art collections and sneaker boutiques.

This time, Onitsuka Tiger has partnered with AIG to extend its footprint into the gallery world, to support international contemporary artists and create opportunities for people to experience random art. Tiger Gallery allows artists to not only display works in major store locations, but also to curate intervention in Onitsuka Tiger’s world by designing shop window creations and digital experiences in the brand’s online spaces.

Onitsuka Tiger collaborated with the American artist Brian Kenny
Onitsuka Tiger collaboration with Singaporean artist Andrew Loh

The inaugural exhibition features the widely acclaimed Ugandan artist Godwin Champs Namuyimba. As a black artist, Namuyimba uses the human form to explore identity, race and individuality and attempts to evoke complex racial and social issues that have been historically ignored.

With an unusual sense of line and color, the works have repeatedly topped auction estimates over the past few years, reflecting the growing demand for the works.

In June 2021, just days before the artist’s solo show at New York’s Oriental Projects Gallery, his painting Destiny It sold for $107,100, 13 times its low estimate of $8,000 at Phillips New York. Five months later, the auction record was broken by another iconic painting. The link1.3 million (about US$168,000), compared to HK$200,000 (about US$25,400).

In the future, Tiger Gallery will continue to provide international visibility to a diverse range of contemporary artists, going beyond the scope of contemporary artist or brand collaborations.

Godwin Champs Designation | DestinyAcrylic and Paper Marufle in Denim (Retail: US$107,100)

Godwin Champs Designation | The linkacrylic and mixed media on canvas (sold for: around US$168,000)

Works by Godwin Champs Namuyimba exhibited at Tiger Gallery.

Gallery information
Date: August 4 – September 17, 2022
Address: Onitsuka Tiger Regent Street, London Flagship, 249-251 Regent St., London W1B 2EP, UK
Opening Hours: 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM