Jelly Represented Artist Kelly Anna is Nike's Latest Artist in Residence

Kelly Anna has collaborated with Nike as an Artist in Residence with the launch of the ‘Run Past the Future’ collection. Available in NIKE stores across worldwide, the menswear’s concept was founded in key moments that have pushed the sporting world forward in some way. Kelly combined her body positive signature print style along with the graphic forms of the dates to develop the range, taking inspiration from sporting history and its graphics. 

Coming from a gymnastics and dance background herself, Kelly Anna drew on her fascination with sports and movement throughout this collaboration.  

Press shots featuring the Olympic runner Craig Engel  

The dates featured in her work for Nike had a strong influence on Kelly Anna and the sporting world at large; 

“In 1992 Derek Redmond was helped across the finish line by his father Jim. As a Mother, I felt this deeply; that parental support was a beautiful moment of love and support between father and son. 

In 2000 Cathy Freeman, who is of Aboriginal descent, winning gold in Sydney was a huge catalyst for national unity and had ripple effects for years to come.  She said ‘The whole story has become larger than who I am’ - and this really stuck with me. I think, especially in these times it’s so important to realise that our actions can often have positive effects beyond ourselves.” 

The first A.I.R designer to be flown out to Portland to collaborate with the Nike design team, Kelly Anna inputted into the product details of the entire collection from thread colours, screen printed patches whilst considering the technical aspects, including the use of sustainable soles.  

“The whole process and partnership was incredible. From IG messages to live work sessions at Nike HQ, Kelly’s vision, passion and energy were contagious and inspiring. We always knew we had something special, and that Kelly would bring this lovely story to life in a way that only Kelly is able to.” - Diego Guevera, Nike global design director.

KITCHEN, also represented by Jelly, worked directly with Kelly to animate her designs to help promote the collection. 

Behind the scenes from trip to NIKE Portland for kick off alongside examples from R&D for the collection 

Kelly Anna is an artist, painter and designer represented by Jelly London. Known for her powerful, silhouetted figures, female empowerment has been a narrative present throughout her career with a strong focus on sports. 

Kelly’s work is reminiscent of Matisse’s collage, with a twist for the modern age. Over the past few years Kelly has created a vast and diverse body of work. She has designed trainers, painted murals (14 to be precise), curated exhibitions, taken over buildings, and even embellished popcorn packets. 

Her success has been solidified by the collaborations she has worked on, from designing for Nike and Lego to having some of her prints worn by the likes of Beyonce and Cara Delevingne. 

Alongside her work Kelly has spoken at 15 of the biggest Art & design festivals across the globe, most notably being a headline act at USBYNIGHT in Antwerp and GDFS in Scotland.