Tel Aviv-based artist Costa Magarakis, also known as Duck Pirate, takes footwear far beyond its functional purpose. His specialty? Crafting “exotic and bizarre shoe sculptures” that are sure to challenge your perception of footwear.
Magarakis’ creations are a far cry from your typical stilettos or sneakers. Imagine towering platforms that morph into clawed feet, or high heels adorned with unsettling, fleshy protrusions. His work often incorporates dark and shadowy themes, making the shoes appear more like haunting apparitions than everyday wear.
But there’s more to these sculptures than meets the eye. Magarakis’ work can be seen as a commentary on our relationship with fashion and consumerism. By twisting a familiar object into something unsettling, he compels us to question the societal pressures surrounding footwear and appearance.
Whether you find them beautiful or disturbing, Costa Magarakis’ shoe sculptures are guaranteed to spark conversation. So next time you slip on your favorite pair of shoes, take a moment to appreciate the artistry and subversion Magarakis brings to the world of footwear.
I often find archetypes in old children’s books and toys. I am attracted to things that evoke memories from childhood. The grotesque and the unknown are all important themes in the body of my work. I try to express something from my inner mind.
Costa Magarakis
More info: Website, Instagram (h/t: Virtual Shoe Museum).
