THE SKATEROOM is excited to reveal a time-limited drop of brand new editions and original artworks in collaboration with London-based Nigerian creative Olaolu Slawn. The time-limited collection – featuring a solo deck, a triptych, and six unique original artworks created for THE SKATEROOM – will be available for only two weeks, from April 18, 2024 (3:00 PM CET) to May 2, 2024 (11:59 PM CET).
Photo by Daniil Lavrovski
Although Slawn does not refer to himself as an artist, the work he produces is a multi-disciplinary feat of creativity spanning painting, sculpture, fashion, and even coffee. Anything Slawn envisions, he brings to life — with skateboard art editions being the newest addition to his impressive oeuvre.
At 15 years old, Slawn became the creative director of Wafflesncream, shaping Lagos’ skate and art community as one of its pioneers. What followed was a move to London and widespread cultural acclaim, fuelled by a disruptive attitude and out-of-the-box concepts. Slawn quickly built a name for himself as the enfant terrible of the art world, rebelling against industry standards and forging a path that remains entirely his own.
Slawn’s legacy is living proof that art and skate are one and the same. His vision for each artwork is that of a skater: daring, culturally attuned, and unafraid to leave a mark. For his collection with THE SKATEROOM, he channeled this vision into a limited solo edition, a triptych, and six unique original artworks, spray-painted and hand -signed in his London studio.
The time-limited solo edition, 6 of them, features six silhouettes in Slawn’s distinctive style. Although their eyes are blank, they seem to be looking around at each other with ambiguous expressions. Some appear to be smiling, some frown, while others display a more neutral air. Slawn takes the observer on an interpretative journey with this playful yet insightful piece.
© Slawn
The triptych, Dying Wish, showcases a black and white image sketched out by Slawn in his London coffee shop Beaubeaus. The slightly smudged lines give this piece a multi-dimensionality, further intensified by overlapping imagery.
Upon closer inspection, the initially doodle-like piece reveals ultra-recognizable characters from Slawn’s visual world. For the original artworks, Untitled 1-6, Slawn spray-painted six skateboard decks, especially for THE SKATEROOM. Each artwork is unique, hand-signed, and made personally by the artist in his London studio. The decks’ surfaces depict a face, painted in distinctive playful lines.
© Slawn
PRICING: The solo deck is available at $129 and the triptych at $349. Additionally, Slawn’s six original artworks are available at $1,000 each.
TIMING: The time-limited drop is available from April 18, 2024 (3:00 PM CET) until May 2, 2024 (11:59 PM CET) on the skateroom
Photo by Daniil Lavrovski
© Slawn
THE IMPACT OF SKATEBOARDING
As with all collections from THE SKATEROOM, 10% of all sales will go towards social skate projects and NGOs worldwide. As a proud B Corp, THE SKATEROOM embraces a social entrepreneurship model, while actively working to improve sustainability and transparency in its work.
Over the past decade, THE SKATEROOM has donated over $1,650,000 tounderprivileged communities, funding skatepark constructions, educational workshops and skill building initiatives. One of such projects is the recently-opened waf. skatepark in Lagos, built in partnerships with Wonders Around The World and Wafflesncream. THE SKATEROOM is proud to support projects that are personally linked to the stories of the artists they work with.
THIS IS NOT ART – A TIME-LIMITED COLLECTION BY SLAWN is available from April 18, 2024 (3:00 PM CET) until May 2, 2024 (11:59 PM CET) on the skateroom
©2024 SLAWN, THE SKATEROOM
Art Plugged is a contemporary platform inspired by a relationship with the broader arts communities. We provide our audience with curated insight into the world of art, from exhibitions to artist interviews and more.
