Jeff Chan: Doing something a little different.

Taking a break from ideas you've spent a long time with can be a lot of fun. I often find tasks like these open up new thought processes, and help to eliminates limitations that you've set for yourself while trying to stay within certain parameters in your own main work.

I was contacted by a friend of mine who knew someone who was looking to get a skateboard show together. He was looking for artists to create unique boards for a show, but with a twist. In most cases, artist made boards are not skated on but rather put on display for the rest of their lives - but not for this show. This board (along with the other participating artists' boards) will be skated on, scratched up, possibly bent, maybe even broken by local Vancouver skaters or skaters in the States. And then it's going on display.

This got my attention pretty quick, not only for the unique end display and transformation, but also being asked to paint an object that is almost ridiculous when you think about it. I've never been one to ride skateboards, keep them hidden in my locker, or go destroy someones property, but I realized that these are all absolute stereotypes. So if they're not true, or at least based on some kind of truth, then what are they good for? Transport? Not really - when was the last time you saw someone on a skateboard going uphill other than while in a half pipe? They certainly don't keep you sheltered either, and they definitely don't have brakes. In fact, the only motor is, well, you! So if sensible transport is ruled out, what then is the appeal, tricks? A showcase of talent? Perhaps. But do they have to be so loud and annoying to the non enthusiast? That right there was my starting point - the noise, the rebellion, the lack of finesse to their design. They're ultimately crude - simply a piece of wood with wheels on it, yet somehow it appeals to many. It's like the really loud motorcycles that people generally have a distaste for. The motorcycles could be quiet, but I suppose many owners just refuse to be silenced, and find a joy in it that others may simply not see. The skateboards I'm sure could be designed to have less noise output, but I'd imagine most riders wouldn't want that. It's almost like living in a cartoon world where everything is loud and proud.

I hope you like the finished board. A banner print will showcase all the boards prior to being skated on at the show. Stay tuned for show details!