Sun, 29 Jan 2006
Skateboard Art
Waterhouse and Penhallow, Concrete to Canvas: Skateboarders' Art,
Laurence King
Why is there such a thing as Skateboarders' art and not, say,
inline skaters'? I imagine there is inline skater art but it just
hasn't become a body of work. With skateboards there's the board itself
to serve as a ready canvas for ideas (and note this book is not
about skateboard art) which sort of spurs things along and allows
for the advertisment of an identity.
Actually there is no real identity. There is no binding style
in these interesting works. There is a great variety, ranging from
fuzzy-edged graffitti to meticulously worked drawings of some delicacy.
There is a common feel though -- that slightly warped Itchy and
Skratchy sort of thing, and there's abundant humour.
So anyway, this is a rich graphical trip through one of
today's subcultures.
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pre Dec 04 reviews are here