RL Deckchair - Ged Wells
The first artist we’re proud to introduce is Ged Wells. He’s been involved in the international skate scene since the mid 80s and went on to found his own skate company. Ged can now boast of exhibiting his work in both London & Tokyo with over 30 solo shows. All very fitting to Deck Chairs’ concept of swaying the boundaries between skate, design, art and furniture.
Since challenging each artist with a simple ‘what if?’, we’ve asked them a series of questions to help understand the thinking behind their pieces.
What was the inspiration behind the artwork you created?
First thoughts were around the associations of a traditional deckchair, the requirement to relax with no obligations, a deckchair is a statement of empowered idleness, a secure bubble, this parallels nicely to the Sloth, idleness is its very being. So to build a small narrative; a Sloth hunter painted on the opposite side of the boards, a bit like an lazy killing machine version of Elmer Fudd.
Tell us about your process?
To create a jungle texture, I used multiple colours of spray paint and a variety of stencil objects, from lentils to toy lizards, to build layered textures. Pencil and ink drawings were then projected before finishing in acrylic by hand.
What is your most memorable skate moment?
Cant find one moment; as for most, best moments can be progression, in making a new trick.
What is your most important piece of furniture?
Coincidently; a black deck chair handed down from my great grandparents.
What do you think connects skateboarding and art?
Individual directional impulses in response to aesthetic, physical gratification with a fixation towards ambiguous goals.
What was your favourite board graphic?
My friend Nick did this hand painted ‘My Mums’ pastiche graphic in the mid 80s, this was a budget brand like ‘Happy Shopper’.
Have you seen him?
Yes, I saw him at the Southbank last year, he now goes by the name Ben Jobe.
Sloth Hunter by Ged Wells…
RL Deckchair - Mark Ward
The second artist we’d like to introduce in our collaborative phase is Mark Ward. His fascination with skateboarding and the magical 80's Americana era makes him a great addition to the project. Mark has exhibited his artwork in various cities in Europe and America gathering genuine interest for his distinct aesthetic.
What was the inspiration behind the artwork you created?
I wanted to get across that excitement I had as a kid looking at the decks on the skate shop wall – all shiny and new! Taking influence from Andy Takakjian and his work for Vision, I created 3 abstract bright glossy based patterns that are dripping off the decks.
Tell us about your process?
I stare at a wall for what seems like forever going over ideas in my head. I sketch some down and then work out what works best. I then draw everything by hand and then bring it into my mac for colouring up and further detailing.
I stare at a wall for what seems like forever going over ideas in my head. I sketch some down and then work out what works best. I then draw everything by hand and then bring it into my mac for colouring up and further detailing.
What is your most memorable skate moment?
The most memorable but not the happiest was when I broke my knee. I flipped a set of stairs to only then be run over by a cyclist as I landed. Probably the cleanest flip I've ever done to the most awkward limp home. Apart from that, any time when you land something new. That feeling of progression never gets old!
What is your most important piece of furniture?
Probably my desk. It's nothing of note but, I found 3 meter squared desks with bolt on chrome legs for £30 in a charity shop. They look great ( when not covered in paint) and take up the width of my studio.
The most memorable but not the happiest was when I broke my knee. I flipped a set of stairs to only then be run over by a cyclist as I landed. Probably the cleanest flip I've ever done to the most awkward limp home. Apart from that, any time when you land something new. That feeling of progression never gets old!
What is your most important piece of furniture?
Probably my desk. It's nothing of note but, I found 3 meter squared desks with bolt on chrome legs for £30 in a charity shop. They look great ( when not covered in paint) and take up the width of my studio.
What do you think connects skateboarding and art?
That feeling of independence. You do it for yourself. Progressing at either one gives you that feeling of satisfaction.
That feeling of independence. You do it for yourself. Progressing at either one gives you that feeling of satisfaction.
What was your favourite board graphic?
Too many to mention. I like the classics. The Alien workshop spectrum logo had a weird hold over me as a young teenager. I bought the reissue recently - I can't explain it. Nice geometry and bright colours maybe?
Too many to mention. I like the classics. The Alien workshop spectrum logo had a weird hold over me as a young teenager. I bought the reissue recently - I can't explain it. Nice geometry and bright colours maybe?
Have you seen him?
On the regular when I started out. Not recently - maybe I should pay him a visit. Anyone got a video player?
On the regular when I started out. Not recently - maybe I should pay him a visit. Anyone got a video player?
RL Deckchair - Foz
The third artist we’d like to introduce is Mark Foster, aka Fos, aka Mr Heroin Skateboards himself. Aside from owning a renowned skate company, Fos is an Art Director at Altamont apparel, a design graduate from Goldsmiths' and he also has his own radio show in Los Angeles, a city he now calls home. All you have to do is read the answers to understand why we approached Fos for this project.
Here is a series of questions to help understand the thinking behind his pieces.
What was the inspiration behind the artwork you created?
I used colours and images that I’ve been developing for a few years now, that tie into the art direction for Heroin Skateboards.
Tell us about your process?
A lot of the time when I’m in the zone painting things pop into my head, song lyrics when I’m listening to music, or ideas and I write them down on the work. I can’t really predict how the piece is going to come out, its very spontaneous.
What is your most memorable skate moment?
Opening a skateboard mag when I was 13 or 14 and it completely changing my life. Seeing Eric Dressen do a demo in my hometown, Bury in 1988. Skating with one of my heroes, Animal and him teaching me wall rides in about 1989. Skating Manchester every single weekend from 1987-1992, skating Stockwell skatepark in London for the first time, bunking the train from Deptford and skating Southbank every night for years. Skating all the way down the south bank of the thames when it was completely deserted and you could skate anything you wanted. Skating Eiffel tower banks in 1996. Breaking my wrist and deciding to start a skateboard company called Heroin. Going to Japan for the first time and skating and meeting people who would become my friends there. Skating with all my friends in London for the past 18 years usually at Stockwell. Waking up from a dream that I had about doing a new trick that I had never thought of, laughing and thinking I’d never be able to do that trick, going out and learning it and filming it for Video Nasty. Every skate trip I’ve been on. Paris, Barcelona, Tokyo, Osaka, Gran Canaria, Scotland, Madrid, New York, Wales, Cornwall, Prague, Lisbon, Lyon, Le Havre, Los Angeles, Las Vegas. I’m still having skate moments that will be burnt into my brain forever.
What is your most important piece of furniture?
We got a really great chair from a swap meet in L.A. recently that I like a lot. Probably my drawing desk in my office though really. It’s not that special, but it’s where I do all my work.
What do you think connects skateboarding and art?
Creative thinking, its all from the same place. One day I could stay home and paint, the next day I could go and skate or film, or write a novel, or draw a board graphic. What’s the difference? Thats why I hated art school, “What do you want to be an illustrator or a fine artist? you have to choose now and thats the only path you can go down for the next 20 years” its insanity, David Lynch started out as a painter and now he makes amazing films.
What was your favourite board graphic?
Too many to mention. My favourite that I’ve done is the Antwuan Black Jesus, because of the time and place and having done a board for a legend. I love the Jason Jesse Neptune, the Santa Cruz Spidey, all the Neil Blender graphics. If I could have any board it’d be the Sean Young Spider board from Antihero from around 1995. Loved that thing.
Have you seen him?
I have.
Here is a series of questions to help understand the thinking behind his pieces.
What was the inspiration behind the artwork you created?
I used colours and images that I’ve been developing for a few years now, that tie into the art direction for Heroin Skateboards.
Tell us about your process?
A lot of the time when I’m in the zone painting things pop into my head, song lyrics when I’m listening to music, or ideas and I write them down on the work. I can’t really predict how the piece is going to come out, its very spontaneous.
What is your most memorable skate moment?
Opening a skateboard mag when I was 13 or 14 and it completely changing my life. Seeing Eric Dressen do a demo in my hometown, Bury in 1988. Skating with one of my heroes, Animal and him teaching me wall rides in about 1989. Skating Manchester every single weekend from 1987-1992, skating Stockwell skatepark in London for the first time, bunking the train from Deptford and skating Southbank every night for years. Skating all the way down the south bank of the thames when it was completely deserted and you could skate anything you wanted. Skating Eiffel tower banks in 1996. Breaking my wrist and deciding to start a skateboard company called Heroin. Going to Japan for the first time and skating and meeting people who would become my friends there. Skating with all my friends in London for the past 18 years usually at Stockwell. Waking up from a dream that I had about doing a new trick that I had never thought of, laughing and thinking I’d never be able to do that trick, going out and learning it and filming it for Video Nasty. Every skate trip I’ve been on. Paris, Barcelona, Tokyo, Osaka, Gran Canaria, Scotland, Madrid, New York, Wales, Cornwall, Prague, Lisbon, Lyon, Le Havre, Los Angeles, Las Vegas. I’m still having skate moments that will be burnt into my brain forever.
What is your most important piece of furniture?
We got a really great chair from a swap meet in L.A. recently that I like a lot. Probably my drawing desk in my office though really. It’s not that special, but it’s where I do all my work.
What do you think connects skateboarding and art?
Creative thinking, its all from the same place. One day I could stay home and paint, the next day I could go and skate or film, or write a novel, or draw a board graphic. What’s the difference? Thats why I hated art school, “What do you want to be an illustrator or a fine artist? you have to choose now and thats the only path you can go down for the next 20 years” its insanity, David Lynch started out as a painter and now he makes amazing films.
What was your favourite board graphic?
Too many to mention. My favourite that I’ve done is the Antwuan Black Jesus, because of the time and place and having done a board for a legend. I love the Jason Jesse Neptune, the Santa Cruz Spidey, all the Neil Blender graphics. If I could have any board it’d be the Sean Young Spider board from Antihero from around 1995. Loved that thing.
Have you seen him?
I have.
