March 16, 2004 > Skateboarding is Art

Deckarama will be at Ohlone College's Louie-Meager Art Gallery from March 3rd to April 11th. A fresh genre with street savvy, both antique and contemporary decks, painted by well known board artists and Ohlone College "Thrashers" will be shown. A reception and artist showcase will be held Wednesday, March 31st from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m..
An artist panel will follow the reception

Father and son duo Jim and Jimbo Phillips have turned skateboard, surf and rock art from an underground art movement to a major trend with an international cult following. Their artwork has emerged from subculture status to achieve full-fledged artistic recognition.

The art of skateboarders has evolved over the past 30 years with the Phillips team leading the way. The Phillips duo create graphic design skateboard art in their studios, but from March 3 through April 11 you can view their works at Louie Art Gallery in the Smith Center at Ohlone College. On March 31st you can meet the team in person.

Working from their individual studios in Santa Cruz, California, "Phillips Studios" have been a source of creation for well-known graphic design work. Phillips' art collection of posters, surf and skateboard art has sparked interest in past and present collectors of all ages around the globe.

The free admission exhibit at the Louie-Meager Art Gallery in the Gary Soren Smith Center for the Fine & Performing Arts at Ohlone College will also display antique and contemporary decks painted by well-known female and male board artists. A reception to meet and greet the Phillips team as well as other artists will be held on Wednesday, March 31st, from 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Jim was born in San Jose, CA, starting his free-lancing art services in the early 1970's. His son, James "Jimbo" Phillips, cut his teeth in his father's skateboard art studio in the late 1980s, and went on to a lifelong freelance career following in the family tradition. Jimbo's art has been said to resemble his father's work, while maintaining his own unique flare and edge.

Phillips, Sr. credits grade school for his artistic development. "Not enough can be said about the value of grade school for an artist. Not so much for the learning, but for being given a paper and pencil in a boring atmosphere," Phillips says. "School desks were my drawing tables in those days." - Metro Santa Cruz, "Making Waves" by Mary Spicuzza

Phillips collection of graphic art covers over the last 40 years, Surf Skate & Rock Art of Jim Phillips, contains hundreds of poster samples, ads, logos, labels, cartoons, and other art forms have entertained many and given them history and insight into Phillips images. A book signing will be held at the reception.

For more information about the exhibit and artists attending please contact the Louie-Meager Art Gallery in the Gary Soren Smith Center for the Fine & Performing Arts at Ohlone College, (510) 659-6176.