Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The Book of Skulls - Faye Dowling



The skull is one of the most recognizable symbols of today’s contemporary visual culture. Adorning T-Shirts, badges and rock memorabilia as the ultimate symbol of anarchy and rebellion, the image of the skull has found its way into the vocabulary of urban life.

In response to this cultural phenomenon, The Book of Skulls presents a cool visual guide to the skull, charting its rebirth through music and street fashion to become today’s ultimate anti-establishment icon. From the Grateful Dead to skater punk graffiti, from haute-couture to Damien Hirst, this book is the ultimate collection of iconic and unusual skull motifs.

Packaged in an amazing 'skeleton' binding and drawing together artwork from music, fashion, street art and graphic design, The Book of Skulls is a celebration of one of today’s most iconic cultural symbols.

Faye Dowling is a freelance editor, curator and art buyer specializing in photography, illustration, design, and contemporary visual culture. She has worked for magazines including Dazed & Confused, Varoom, Frieze, Eye, Edit and Pictured.




Paperback
164 illustrations
160 pages
180 x 140 mm
ISBN 978 1 85669 700 2
£9.95
Published August 2011

Monday, August 22, 2011

Monster Energy Top Hat



I customised this for James at Monster Energy Drink, it was a prize for DTSD.



Vans- DTSD Merch







Vans - Downtown Show Down



On Saturday, 20th August 2011, Old Spitalfields Market in East London hosted the biggest skateboard event the UK has ever seen. Over 10’000 people visited throughout the day, witnessing ten of Europe’s best skateboard teams battle it out against each other. The lion’s share of the prize purse went to the days winning team: Antiz. It wasn’t just the skaters having fun as the weather held out throughout the day, a thronging crowd of spectators and a high level of skateboarding were key ingredients for the success of this unique event.

Vans selected the incredible obstacles from Cliché, Superdead and Death Skateboards in recognition of their inspired and creative designs and brought them to life brilliantly and installed in Old Spitalfields Market and the neighboring Brushfield Street to be skated for one day only.

Following an hour’s warm up, the competing athletes dived straight into the first Round, featuring Death Skateboards’ Ripper Alley. Phil Zwijsen resurrected the spirit of the Ripper himself, pushing the boundaries and carving his way to first place with his consist fluid style and use of the course. Danny Brady fought to the end, notably with a B/S Hurricane from the flat bank to bar that earned him second place.

The event was then in full swing and the masses accumulated over the Antiz Tower Bridge. Danny Brady lead the line with his progressive array of tricks in his arsenal, none more so than his F/S Bluntslide kickflip to fakie in his usual insouciant manner. Inspired by the amazing obstacle created by Antiz, the Element and Cliché team fought to the bitter end, though when the dust settled it was Danny Brady who left with the top spot.

Despite the best efforts of the typically unpredictable British weather, the clouds parted and the sun shined in time for everyone to roll out to the final obstacle- Superdead’s Olde English Tavern. As the final round, this was the moment when every athlete knew their time was running out and did what they could do claim a stake in this prestigious event, first out of the gates was Nassim Guammaz. Ferocious style that dominated from the minute the final heat commenced. If anyone needed final confirmation that Nassim was taking this heat as his own, his F/S 360 shuvit down the bank reaffirmed his position. Chris Pfanner, representing Yama, kept everyone guessing with his trademark F/S melon flip earning plaudits from the huge assembled crowd.

With all three obstacles taken on and destroyed in a fashion we have come to expect from the Vans Downtown Showdown, it was left to the judges to tally up the scores and inform the heaving crowds of which team had climbed highest in the scoring. Here are the results as presented by the likes of Steve Van Doren, Geoff Rowley and Dustin Dollin. The team results were as follows-

1st - Antiz
2nd- Element Europe
3rd - Enjoi
4th - Superdead






The Antiz team @ mine for Vans Downtown Show Down



I've been good friends with the Antiz guys for some time, they're the best company / team / fruity euro dudes in the world!! They came into town from thursday until yesterday for the Showdown. Having them here is always fun and eventful, especially when they sleep at your house and studio. Hugo and Sam got in first, and came direct to the studio.



Closely followed by Samu and Dallas. James, Jake, Pulley and Phil popped over to the studio to see them as they were all in town as well.



We had a pretty heavy thursday evening, ending up in the pub until 2am, and James putting his credit card behind the bar for everyone to have a few shandys and also having a hobo style street party outside the Bagel shop on the way. I found the guys like this the next morning on the floor of my studio. Just the way you'd want to be before the practice session on friday.



Obviously the event wouldn't be right without a Lovenskate injection of fun!! Stu at the Lovenskate Market.



It was pretty mental for me being at the d.t.s.d, as my artwork way every where, and I mean all over the bloody place. It was really flattering for me to have it so bold.



It wouldn't be d.t.s.d without Shutzi building the ramps and Churchill being mouthy!





After the event, we managed to get 2 crates of Vans beer, with my labels on .....



Euro's so fruity!!



Hugo got smashed in his face with his own board and had to get stitches.... here's what his skull looks like!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

OUT OF STOCK



Please come down and see the group show that comes out of Stockwell Skatepark.

IDEAL SKATESHOP SHIRT OUT NOW!



After Ideal was looked last week during the Birmingham riots they've now got the shirt I drew for them ready and on sale so please CLICK HERE and buy one to help the guys at Ideal and keep the Birmingham skate scene alive.


Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Vans DTSD - Bill Board and Banner



There's these bill board posters in town...




....and this banner at Spitalfields market.

Daily Waffle - Vans Downtown Show Down



Vans DTSD is this weekend in Spitalfields Market. I drew the original artwork for the poster and also the map for the event site, which comes inside the "Daily Waffle".







Friday, August 12, 2011

WITCHCRAFT TOUR - AUG 2011



Here's some pic's from the Witchcraft trip, there's gonna be a Sidewalk mag article and a video to go with it.