Overview:
Antione Jenkins is a multidisciplinary artist and co-founder of Skntones. His work spans from high-profile sneaker customizations for celebrities like Juice WRLD to poignant community murals in Minneapolis. Jenkins focuses on highlighting Black excellence and empowering marginalized talent through art and activism.
Antione Jenkins was an expressive kid who doodled on his desk and felt a calling toward art. A native of Coon Rapids, Jenkins didn’t want to paint on a normal canvas, so he combined his artistry with his love of shoes.
Jenkins is now a full-time multidisciplinary artist. He paints, customizes sneakers, cultivates culture, curates community activations and has a clothing brand.
Growing up, basketball was another big factor in his life outside of art. Jenkins was torn between the two passions when he was asked to customize a friend’s shoes for his commitment to Duke University. From that moment, he saw an opportunity in art, he said, and decided to commit to it fully.
His work eventually evolved in scale as Jenkins began painting murals.
In 2020, he and a group of other artists created a mural of George Floyd outside of Spyhouse Coffee in Minneapolis. The piece, titled “Truck Angel,” depicts Floyd as an angel standing in front of protesters, protecting them from a truck. The painting was inspired after the artists witnessed a semitruck drive into a peaceful protest on Interstate 35W.
Jenkins has since forged partnerships with the UFC and, more recently, Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins. The collaborative mural inside the baseball stadium will showcase notable Black players who have played for the Twins organization and will be unveiled this summer, Jenkins said.
Highlighting Black people in his art is important, Jenkins said, especially those who don’t get the recognition they deserve.
“When people interact with my art or experience my brand, I want them to feel like a kid again,” Jenkins said. “I want them to feel like it’s a breath of fresh air, I want them to feel high off of life.”
Jenkins aims to inspire and push viewers to reevaluate and center themselves and their own lives. His murals adorn various local businesses, including day cares, and he has created custom shoes for celebrities and athletes including Sexyy Red, G Herbo, Storm Reid, Juice WRLD, Lil Skies, Gary Trent Jr., Thon Maker, Rashod Bateman and Jarrick Beard.
Jenkins also co-founded Skntones, a culture-driven creative studio and clothing line rooted in art and collaboration.
“We empower marginalized talent to shape brand narratives that feel lived-in and not manufactured,” the organization’s website states.
During Operation Metro Surge, Skntones released “Fuck ICE” T-shirts. All profits from the shirts were donated to the Minnesota Immigrant Rights Action Committee, an organization advocating for legalization and equality for immigrants.
As Jenkins continues working on customizations, events and product drops, he wants to keep making the world his canvas, collaborating with community brands and sports teams.
To keep up with Antione Jenkins’ art, visit antzcreationz on Instagram. To learn more about Skntones, visit skntones.com.
If you’d like to nominate someone to be featured the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder’s “On the Radar,” visit spokesman-recorder.com/on-the-radar-nominations.
Damenica Ellis welcomes reader responses at dellis@spokesman-recorder.com.