Summary
- Artist Olaolu Slawn, better known as Slawn, has opened a massive pop-up exhibition in Chelsea, Manhattan
- Running through July 19, the showcase features new 15” x 15” paintings, wooden sculptures, and collaborative pieces by the Nigerian artist
- You can also cop the Nigeria “X2” ‘26 collection inside the gallery as part of the mini Slawn x Nike store
Saatchi Yates just opened, yet another Slawn-sized takeover, this time in Chelsea, Manhattan, just in time for the World Cup finale. The art world enfant terrible is making himself at home in New York for Slawn on W18th Street, his new pop-up show with the London gallery, Nike, and Team Nigeria, bringing new football-inspired pieces to the heart of where it’s all going down.
His largest show to date, the exhibition centers on several 15”x15” paintings, one of which was featured on the Super Eagles’ 2026 third kit. The centerpiece artwork depicts a maze of Slawn’s signature cartoonish characters, layered in chaotic, green geometry. Another towering piece nearby echoes the kit artwork in deep grayscale, while, in others, bright fields of color are overlaid with busy graffiti-style faces.
The adjoining galleries lean more into the figure-forward style we’ve seen from the artist as of late, such as a Big Bird vs. Batman square-off. In wooden sculptures punctuating the space, the artist conjures ideas like unity, competition, and defeat, themes key to the beautiful game.
Slawn’s collaborators and friends also showed out. Designer Asspizza brought in a massive flag made out of scraps from the painter’s canvases. Performance artist Thelonious Stokes also made a surprise appearance with a live performance mid-opening. The bridge to the pitch lives on in a display of the recent Slawn-designed football and Nike R10 boots for Ronaldinho.
Throughout the weekend, Saatchi Yates is also hosting a mini Nike x Slawn store inside the gallery, stocked with accessories and apparel from the Nigeria “X2” ‘26 collection. Stickers and an exclusive Nike football magazine is also up for grabs.
Head to 456 W. 18th Street this weekend to catch the show before it closes.
Related Stories
We got you covered. Don’t miss out on the latest news by signing up for our newsletters.
In This Article
Erin Ikeuchi Editor, Hypeart
Erin Ikeuchi is a New York-based writer focused on the intersection of contemporary art and culture. Her work spotlights stories, people and moments powering art’s new league, from icons to underground legends. Her formal background in anthropology informs a curious, cross-cultural eye for art where it’s least expected. Since joining Hypebeast in 2024, where she spearheads art-related content, she’s contributed hundreds of articles, including industry news, features and interviews, alongside serving as lead curator for ‘Under the Same Sky,’ Hypeart’s 2026 exhibition with Bonhams.
