Skateboard

20 Oct 2023-2 Jun 2024

Overview

The first major UK exhibition to map the design evolution of the skateboard from the 1950s to today – a story of design, performance and communities progressing together.

Skateboard will chronicle the history of skateboard design from the 1950s to the present day, from homemade, humble beginnings to today’s professional and technologically advanced models.

Curated and designed by author, designer, and skater Jonathan Olivares, this will be the first UK exhibition to explore the evolution of skateboard design in such detail.

The exhibition will showcase innovative skateboards and components and track how skateboarders have taken over sidewalks, swimming pools and skate parks designing new boards to suit their performance, style and surroundings.

Around 90 rare and unique boards will go on display, alongside over 100 other objects, including hardware such as wheels and tucks, safety equipment, VHS tapes, DVDs, magazines and ephemera. Together they will show skateboard’s technical developments and its evolving social acceptance.

Explore a range of contemporary boards alongside 1950s homemade skateboards from California – Laura Thornhill’s Logan Earth Ski 1970s pro model, Tony Hawk’s first ever professional model skateboard, Sky Brown's first pro model and the Sky Brown x Skateistan Almost deck.