SK8FACE: The History of Skateboarding in its Artwork

Whether the act itself is considered an artform or not in one’s book, art has always been an important aspect of the culture. Music integrated into demos and videos. The ever-changing fashion that has been leached upon by companies and the mainstream. And of course the art an design work that lathers the bottom of boards and appears on apparel.

And that brings us to SK8FACE.

First premiering in 2023 and recently released digitally to the masses, SK8FACE is the newest skateboard documentary that surrounds the artistic side of culture. Directed by Matt Bass and narrated by none other than the legendary skater, and artist in his own right, Chad Muska, SK8FACE discusses the shift from stamped company logos to powerfully unique graphics. Perfectly presenting the evolution of creative expression coinciding by the various eras throughout history, the documentary smartly begins with Hall of Fame recipient, Wes Humpston and carries us closely to the more modern age. The film shows how graphics were partly
designed by the times, like the influence of punk culture, before allowing skaters to artistically govern themselves.

Through interviews with an array of icons from the scene, the movie beautifully covers obvious greats like The Gonz, John Lucero, Craig Stecyk, and Chris Miller. But also making sure to touch on the importance of companies like World Industries, The New Deal, Shut Skateboards, and the unconventional nature and political themes that found in Planet Earth’s artwork. An interesting term used in the movie when discussing Vernon Courtlandt Johnson’s artwork was, “Power Symbols.” A phrase I believe best describes the artwork bred from this culture. Images and symbols that mesmerize followers and claw at the mainstream, not for acceptance,
but to shout out, “We’re here!” whether they like it or not.

Find SK8FACE on such services as Prime, Tubi, and Roku