Since 2010, Los Angeles-based artist Gary Lockwood has been giving sneakers a new lease of life by turning them into stylish gas masks.
He was inspired by the respirators he donned during his days as a young graffiti artist and his love of hip-hop music.
Each piece is unique and one-of-a-kind, with Lockwood saying, “I’ll never use the same shoe twice”, in an interview with Instagram Blog.
The artist is nearing the completion of his 100th sneaker mask. They represent the dualities in life, such as success and struggle, joy and despair, and are his attempts are reconciling the two worlds.
Check out some of his creations below and view more here.
[via Instagram Blog, images via freehandprofit]