Although London-based Nigerian creative Olaolu 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.
Beginning today, THE SKATEROOM is revealing a time-limited drop of brand new editions and original artworks in collaboration with 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).
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, fueled 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.
The time-limited solo edition, Six 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.
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.
Photography by Daniil Lavrovski.
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