Fotografiska Shanghai Traces Half a Century of Skateboarding Culture

From California's iconic skate scenes to the streets of Shanghai and the Great Wall of China, Skate of the Art: Skateboarding Across Cultures at Fotografiska Shanghai explores how skateboarding has evolved from a street sport into a global visual and cultural movement.

Running through October 25, the exhibition brings together more than 20 photographers and visual creators from five continents. Through photography, moving images, independent publishing and multimedia installations, it traces five decades of skateboarding culture and the communities, cities and identities shaped by it.

Featuring influential photographers, including Hugh Holland, Marcel Veldman, Larry Clark and Ed Templeton, the exhibition moves beyond skateboarding's American roots to explore its diverse expressions around the world, from Indigenous female skaters in Bolivia to communities in Medellín, Colombia; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Morocco.

China takes a special focus, from Mike Blabac's iconic 2005 photograph of Danny Way jumping the Great Wall to contemporary images documenting skate communities in Shanghai, Beijing and beyond. Local photographers, including Jedi Zhou, Jeff Yiu, Bilal, Wan Yize and Terry Xie, capture skateboarding as part of everyday urban life and youth culture in China.

In partnership with Nike SB, Fotografiska Shanghai will also present public programs connecting skateboarding with art, sports and youth culture, extending the exhibition's exploration beyond the gallery and into the city.