There's a huge international sneaker exhibition kicking off in Perth this weekend

After popular showings in Toronto, Brooklyn and Atlanta, the international exhibition The Rise of Sneaker Culture is heading to the Art Gallery Of Western Australia for its only presentation, kicking off this Saturday 13 May. It's the first exhibition to explore the complex social history and cultural significance of the footwear now worn by billions. More than 150 rare/iconic sneakers will be headed to the most isolated city in the world, from the archives of Adidas, Converse, Nike and Puma, as well as private collectors such as Run-DMC, sneaker guru Bobbito Garcia (Kool Bob Love) and Dee Wells of Obsessive Sneaker Disorder. The shoes on display go back as far as an 1860s spiked running shoe, to an original 1923 Converse All Star/Non Skid, a pair of 1936 track shoes, the original Air Force 1, and early Adidas Superstars. Also featured is a complete presentation of Air Jordans I–XX3 on loan from the Kosow Sneaker Museum.

It kicks off on Saturday 13 May with a huge Sneakerfest day planned, and then the exhibition runs right through til September 4. Get more info HERE, and check out some snaps below from curator Lee Ingram's private collection: