White's artistic journey has been both unusual and captivating, starting with his selection for the Northern Graduates exhibition. He later exhibited at The Royal College of Art in London, where a prominent dealer discovered his work. This led to exhibitions in Mayfair and various international art fairs throughout the 1990s. In 1997, his expressive wildlife paintings were displayed alongside those of David Hockney at the Animals in Art charity exhibition and auction at Sotheby's, earning him his first television and radio interviews, as well as national press coverage.
While White’s animal portraits began to captivate audiences, another dimension of his art emerged from his immersion in fashion, design, and pop art. His innovative imagination allowed these seemingly disparate elements to merge on the canvas. In 2002, he pioneered the 'Sneaker Art' movement, capturing iconic sneaker designs in oil paintings, a then-unheard-of concept. This venture brought him into the limelight with significant collaborations, including a project with Size? and Nike to create limited edition pairs of Nike Air Max (AM95DWs), inspired by the foxes and rabbits of his ‘Albion’ wildlife collection, and a commission to design the Air Jordan I 'WING's Gold sneakers. He also painted an E-Type Jaguar for the Albion collection and collaborated on successful projects with Mercedes Benz and AOL.
White's contributions to art extend beyond the canvas, exploring a wide range of subjects with a key focus on environmental issues, particularly endangered species. His international success has provided a platform to raise awareness and support international charities through donations and special projects. His collections have been featured in notable auctions and events, including Christie’s and Phillips New York, and in collaborations with The Goss Michael Foundation, The Tusk Rhino Project, and Sotheby’s Asia for WWF. He has exhibited alongside Kaws and Murakami, and his hand-painted sculptures have been displayed in prominent locations such as Gardens by the Bay in Singapore.
In recent years, White has continued to captivate audiences with collections like 'Critical', 'Paradise', and 'Extinct', each showcasing his evolving style and deepening commitment to wildlife and environmental themes. In 2023, he celebrated 20 years of his ‘sneaker works’ at Liverpool’s Walker Art Gallery. White remains a dynamic and influential figure on the contemporary art scene, his work resonating with a wide audience through its vivid expression, profound message, and continued relevance.
