Touring Exhibition Available from Summer 2024
Skateboard touring exhibition
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.
What to expect
SKATEBOARD chronicles 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 is the first UK exhibition to explore the evolution of skateboard design in such detail, developed in partnership with Converse.
The exhibition showcases 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 are on display, alongside over 100 other objects, including hardware such as wheels and tucks, safety equipment, VHS tapes, DVDs, magazines and ephemera. Together they 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.
#SkateboardExhibition
From the Press
‘a classic design story, and one that presents the field as a medium through which to understand the wider world’ Disegno
‘The exhibition embodies the spirit of the Design Museum as a space of connection through design’ Wallpaper*
‘this isn’t your regular stuffy museum show: instead of encouraging visitors to admire artefacts and artworks, the Design Museum has embraced a different side of culture’ Time Out
‘a neatly conceived and tightly edited exhibition’ Vogue UK
Exhibition photographed by Felix Speller
Exhibition photographed by Felix Speller
Exhibition photographed by Felix Speller
Denis Shufeldt, Downhill speed run, La Costa, Carlsbad CA, 1976. Photograph by Warren Bolsterin
Zephyr Skateboard, 1973/75. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Laura Thornhill, backside kick turn Torrance, 1977. Photograph by Jim Goodrich
Lonnie Toft pro model Sims 1978. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Steve Rocco pro model Sims, 1980. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Caballero Dragon, Powell Peralta, 1981. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Mike McGill, frontside at Del Mar, 1984. Photograph by Grant Brittain
Christian Hosoi, Christ, Air, 1985. Photograph by Grant Brittain
Mark Gonzales, Gemco Bank, frontside boneless, 1985. Photograph by Grant Brittain
Mike Vallely, 1989. Photograph by Spike Jonze
Guy Mariano, Frontside Flip, LA, 1998. Photograph by Mike Blabac
Makaha Kicktail. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Mike Vallely pro model, 1989. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Salva Bevel, 1979. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Hosoi Hammerhead, 1986. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Sponsor
“Converse, which has been adopted by skateboarders for more than 75 years, leaned on its heritage and members of its global skate team to support the book and exhibit, from concept to final execution.
The initiative represents Converse’s ambition to provide a platform for experiences that exist at the cross-section of creativity and skateboarding: bridging audiences and interests, while providing useful inspiration.”
Phil Russo, VP of Design and Innovation
Get in touch
For more information on this touring exhibition, contact the Touring team by completing the tour enquiries form.
Background image: Skateboard exhibition photographed by Felix Speller.