Jayesh Sachdev On Sneaker Culture, Creativity And Building Worlds You Can Step Into
The artist on mythology, motion, and why good design should always be lived in
“Good things are meant to be enjoyed, not stored away,” says multihyphenate creator Jayesh Sachdev, who moves effortlessly between the worlds of visual art and fashion design. Weighing in on the long-standing sneakerhead debate — collect or wear, Sachdev makes his stance clear.
That philosophy finds form in the 45-year-old artist's latest limited-edition sneaker project in collaboration with Black & White Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages. At its core, the project reflects his interest in shared experiences: objects designed not just to be worn, but to spark conversation, add energy to a moment, and bring people together like he believes the terrier motif of the brand that inspired him to design the sneakers him do. He also opens up about creativity, the controversy surrounding the use of artificial intelligence in art, and what drives his constant exploration across mediums.
In an exclusive conversation with Esquire India, he reflects on art, sneaker culture, and what the future might hold for creative expression.
You work across sculpture, murals, fashion, and hybrid forms. How does the medium decide the message ?
For me, the medium is incidental. I never want to be bound by one form. Each material has its own personality, sculptures feel solid and powerful, murals feel immersive and expressive, fashion feels playful and personal. The idea grows differently in each space, and that freedom is what keeps me curious.
You work with surrealist and mythological themes. How do you embed those narratives into something functional like a shoe ?
Mythology has always been a living language in my work. I keep returning to figures like Durga and Ganesha. Durga for her strength and bold feminine energy, and Ganesha for wisdom, charm, and the sense of ease he brings. They carry stories of renewal, protection, and possibility.
When I translate those themes into something functional like a shoe then it’s never literal. It’s through symbols, forms, colours, and small subconscious cues that quietly hold a story. A sneaker becomes a moving canvas where myth and surrealism blend into everyday life. You carry the narrative with you, without it shouting for attention.
What does sneaker culture mean to you as an artist, designer, and consumer ?
Sneaker culture is storytelling for the feet. It’s creativity you can wear a mix of comfort, personality and self-expression. But more than that, it’s a culture built on community: trading, sharing, conversations, memories. That’s why I connect with it as it feels very similar to the Black & White Non-Alcoholic Carbonated Beverages world, where the magic comes from people coming together and enjoying something collectively.
What scale or format still intimidates you after having created large-scale artworks and doign global collaborations ?
Honestly, none. Scale is just another playground. A 17-foot sculpture or a tiny object carry the same thrill. If anything, shrinking a whole universe into a few inches is far harder — miniaturising emotion or story is always the trickier challenge.
You’ve always embraced technology. Where does AI fit into the future of artistic authorship?
AI is a tool, it’s like a brush, a chisel or a camera. It can expand possibilities, but the heart, intent and authorship still come from the artist. Technology can spark ideas, but meaning still comes from human imagination.