RVCA x Christian Hosoi
2019
Creative Direction: PM Tenore
Art Direction: Alan Garcia & Matt Barlow
Project Management: Brian Cassaro, Stu Green, Ashley Lugo & Jake Alan
Design: Michael Zepeda
Photography: John Bradford
Video: Brandon Jensen
RVCA founder, PM Tenore and pro skater, Christian Hosoi had been discussing the idea of doing a group art show to honor the Hammerhead skateboard deck - an iconic shape design Christian created himself. Pat and Christian began to list artists they wanted to participate, and before long we had a roster of over 50 people - Mister Cartoon, Geoff McFetridge, ESPO, Alexis Ross and Haze to name a few. I even got to reconnect with a few artists that I had worked with in the past, like Jenny Sharaf. Jenny’s amazing submission was selected as one of 5 designs to be turned into a limited edition collectable. This show was a massive team effort. It required us shipping blank canvases and Hammerhead decks to all participants, arranging to have the finished pieces returned to us, then shipping the collection to Hawaii. RVCA does an annual week long event in Hawaii called RVCALOHA which showcases surf, skate, sport and art through various events with advocates of the brand. With the space secured, a team of us set up, hosted and broke down the art show. We had temporary walls built and installed to provide enough space for all of the submissions. We also produced a small apparel collection to coincide with the event. It was an incredible night with a great turnout. The story of the inspiration for the show is pretty interesting - Christian’s dad used to always draw on his skateboards, then in 1986, Christian met esteemed artist Keith Haring and he did the same. That same Haring Hammerhead skateboard deck was proudly on display at the show. In 2006, an intriguing documentary on Christian’s life was released - “Rising Son” - with Dennis Hopper narrating, highly recommended!
“The main event of RVCALOHA 2019 took place December 4th and was a night to remember. The evening’s exhibition, entitled ‘The Hammerhead Show’, was a unique exhibition showcasing of artwork dedicated to Christian Hosoi, inspired by his long legacy in skateboarding and the original Hammerhead deck painted by Keith Haring for Christian back in 1986. The show featured over 50 artists from around the world, ranging from close friends of the legendary skateboarder, to those who idolized him and his iconic style from afar. Replicas of the original hammerhead deck were provided to each artist to paint and each was hung along with an accompanying canvas, to create a one of a kind collection and art show. Proceeds from the purchase of each work will be donated to charitable causes of the artists’ and Christian’s choice.”