Skate Decks as Wall Art

The last vestiges of my history as a skater faded away a few years ago as an occasional member of the Bad Skaters Club. But till this day, I've got a soft spot for both the sport and the hardware, especially skateboard decks. One could say that the first art I ever owned and exhibited were some spare skate decks I mounted across my childhood bedroom wall.

Even if you've never laid foot on a skateboard, I think plenty of folks would be enamored by the graphic sophistication of skateboard companies like Habitat, Organika, and Chocolate, and realize the possibilities of using decks as wall or floor art. At about $50 a deck, it's just as affordable as purchasing an art print, with a dimensional presence that can span across an interior wall when displayed in multiples . There are plenty of options to peruse. But if you don't see something you like, you could always just paint your own blank deck.

Comments (12)

Years ago I saw an art book about skateboards. I was blown away by some of the artwork! The idea has always been in the back of my mind and last year found a limited edition board at a Culver City gallery. I would love to have a row of 4 on the wall.

These are wonderful. My son, unfortunately hangs his broken boards all over the walls of his room and while they are a milestone of tricks accomplished they do nothing for our decor. Oh well....

I've been contemplating putting up some skateboards AND snowboards with really great art on my walls.

This seems to point towards a strange trend that underground interior design seems to be heading for: spaces with mini collections of cool toys, books, sneakers, etc. seem to be resembling retail spaces.

Think about it...putting cool decks on the wall is not too far from displaying them nicely in your own skate shop.

shakinstyle,

My son also hung his broken boards on the wall; a couple of years ago we decided to make room for a friend of his who needed a place to stay for a while so we switched bedrooms - me taking the smaller room. Unfortunately, we did the switch in a hurry, and I'm still living living with the bolt sized holes in the walls. Not to mention the bits of graffiti, etc. One of my favorite fantasies is to fix the walls and paint. Someday... if I can ever decide on a color...

My son and I have been talking about doing this in his room for a while. Any tips on how to mount skateboards on the wall without seeing (much of) the mount?

MrNerfHerder - my son used bolts about the same size as the ones that go thru the decks into the trucks. Straight into the drywall, and they did hold pretty well, but like I said, I'm now living with bolt-size holes that I haven't fixed yet. You might be able to get away with using smaller ones if you use those anchor goodies that you screw into the wall first. Either way, you're gonna have decent size holes...

Wish I'd known about these a few years ago... :-(

How about fishing line through the truck holes hung from a typical picture hanger (angled nail through the bent metal thing)?

Back in the mid-80s, half of the reason I bought a deck was the graphics....

someone tell me more about th last one with the women walking the dog and the gold leaf- i need it

Hanging decks is dead easy. Just use a regular picture hook and thread fishing line through the holes that are already on the deck for the trucks. Make a small loop and hang it. If you want the board to hang lengthwise use two picture hooks.
I also have a collection of vintage boards (50's, 60's and 70's) that I have mounted using shelf clip brackets that allow the boards to act as shelves with the trucks and wheels facing down. Skating has a great history and style has always been a keystone.

Jon_B and jimcrosley -- thanks so much for the suggestions! If either of you know of other skate decor, I'd love to get a heads-up... trying to trick out my son's room.