basketball/ukiyo-e niche: andrew archer just dropped edo ball season 2

andrew archer created edo-ball, because he loved basketball and ukiyo-e japanese woodblock prints, but you don’t have to travel introspectively beneath a torii, or watch jason ‘white chocolate’ williams triple fake a defender off his right elbow to know that his illustrations are beautiful. they’re rich in culture (multiple cultures), rendered with the finesse of a street baller, and the resolve of a samurai.

the gateway
all images courtesy of andrew archer

incredibly popular with basketball and japanese culture communities, the first release of edo-ball included 12 works. their success led archer to create another series of 10 pieces—season 2.

the wolfpack

his unreal color palette serves him well, but it isn’t what makes the series such a swish. archer spent three years in asia, hooping on the rooftop’s of hong kong, faking beneath the bridges of bangkok, and shooting threes on the tired courts of cambodia: honing his love for the sport and immersing himself in culture. his knowledge of these two worlds seamlessly connect in his mind. they’re one in the same through his colorful lens. japanese mythology brings shaquille o’neal’s dunks to life. lebron james becomes a shogun king. even the offseason is reimagined by the rejuvenating bloom of japanese cherry blossom trees. each piece has a complex story and a diverse history.

the offseason

‘the torii,’ andrew says, ‘is a gateway that signals the transition from the profane to the sacred in shinto religion. in many ways basketball is a gateway for people and their communities. the game offers a special sacred place to make friends, laugh and share stories. a place where people go to escape real life and come together as one to strengthen bonds and community.’ edo—ball is andrew’s tribute to the game. follow edo—ball online, on social, or via his newsletter.

the sumo