Regional artists create modern pieces to celebrate the 50th birthday of the Adidas Superstar

From Pop Art-style portraits to graphic novel-inspired works, six artists took inspiration from the classic sneaker for their pieces

Abrar from Kuwait, better known as BlackLightME, created female superheroes, using the tagline “change is a team sport". All images courtesy Adidas

Omani artist, producer and DJ Taher Majid reimagined the Adidas logo as a rising sun for the project.

Mubarak Al Malik depicted a woman in an abaya wearing Adidas Superstar sneakers.

Muralist Moks created a figurative image, starring Run DMC members and the Dubai skyline.

Bahraini artist Mohamood AlSharqawi's work for the Superstar 50th birthday project.

Saudi Arabian graffiti artist Deyaa Rambo's artwork for the 50th birthday of the Adidas Original Superstar.

The Adidas Originals Superstar trainer turns 50 this year. With its distinctive three side stripes and textured shell toe, it has long been something of a fashion staple, worn by sportspeople and snappy dressers around the globe.

To mark the sneaker's half century, Adidas is calling on creative talents across the world to express what the Superstar means to them.

In February, American actor Jonah Hill directed a video in homage to the sneaker, featuring names such as Pharrell Williams and footballer Paul Pogba. With everyone clad in Adidas Originals tracksuits and Superstars on their feet, the tagline was “change is a team sport".

Then in April, US rappers Run DMC released their latest collaborative version called the Superstar 50, which can be styled sans laces.

As part of the 50th birthday celebrations of the Adidas Original Superstar, rappers Run DMC released the Adidas x Run DMC collaboration. Courtesy Adidas

Now, the celebrations have moved to the Middle East, with Adidas Originals and FootLocker reaching out to six regional creatives to craft artwork for the project.

Scroll through the gallery above to see all six pieces.

Several took inspiration from the culture of this region, including Bahraini artist Mohamood AlSharqawi, who works under the name Huvil. The artist – who works as a air traffic controller by day – created a Pop Art-style image of a women wearing a burqa and Adidas logo earring.

Deyaa Rambo, meanwhile, a pioneer of the Saudi Arabian graffiti scene, produced a stylised image depicting Saudi men in ghutras, clutching paint spray cans.

Award-winning street artist Mubarak Al Malik also blended traditional and modern elements in his trademark cartoonish style. In his work, a woman in an abaya and burqa clutches an oud burner, while sporting a pair of Superstars on her feet.

Filipino artist Moks, founder of Cavity Collective and a street muralist, fused the past and present in his figurative painting, setting portraits of Run DMC members alongside the ultra-modern Dubai skyline.

Abrar from Kuwait, better known as BlackLightME, looked to graphic novels for inspiration for her artwork, alluding to female superheroes surfing and playing basketball in her completed piece.

Finally, Omani artist, producer and DJ Taher Majid delivered an Art Deco-inspired image that turned the Adidas logo into a rising sun.

By showcasing local artists' work in a global project, the hope is to inspire the next generation of creators.

The campaign will launch on FootLocker's Middle East website and social media channels on Saturday, August 1, with videos showing the artists creating their pieces in behind-the-scenes footage.