Future Exhibition Tickets now on sale
Skateboard
The first major UK exhibition to map the design evolution of the skateboard from the 1950s to today – a story of design, performance and communities progressing together.
What to expect
Skateboard will chronicle the history of skateboard design from the 1950s to the present day, from homemade, humble beginnings to today’s professional and technologically advanced models.
Curated and designed by author, designer and skater Jonathan Olivares, this will be the first UK exhibition to explore the evolution of skateboard design in such detail, developed in partnership with Converse.
The exhibition will showcase innovative skateboards and components and track how skateboarders have taken over sidewalks, swimming pools and skate parks designing new boards to suit their performance, style and surroundings.
Around 90 rare and unique boards will go on display, alongside over 100 other objects, including hardware such as wheels and tucks, safety equipment, VHS tapes, DVDs, magazines and ephemera. Together they will show skateboard’s technical developments and its evolving social acceptance.
Explore a range of contemporary boards alongside 1950s homemade skateboards from California – Laura Thornhill’s Logan Earth Ski 1970s pro model, Tony Hawk’s first ever professional model skateboard, Sky Brown's first pro model and the Sky Brown x Skateistan Almost deck.
Zephyr Skateboard, 1973/75. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Denis Shufeldt, Downhill speed run, La Costa, Carlsbad CA, 1976. © Warren Bolster
Laura Thornhill, backside kick turn Torrance, 1977. Photograph by Jim Goodrich
Lonnie Toft pro model Sims 1978. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Steve Rocco pro model Sims, 1980. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Caballero Dragon, Powell Peralta, 1981. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Mike McGill, frontside at Del Mar, 1984. Photograph by Grant Brittain
Christian Hosoi, Christ, Air, 1985. Photograph by Grant Brittain
Mark Gonzales, Gemco Bank, frontside boneless, 1985. Photograph by Grant Brittain
Mike Vallely, 1989. Photograph by Spike Jonze
Guy Mariano, Frontside Flip, LA, 1998. Photograph by Mike Blabac
Makaha Kicktail. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Mike Vallely pro model, 1989. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Salva Bevel, 1979. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Hosoi Hammerhead, 1986. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams
Book online
Booking Information
Adult tickets from £16.00
Children aged 11 to 15 from £8.00
Under 11s go free
Concession/Student tickets from £12.00
Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Visit our terms & conditions page for further information.
Opening hours:
Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Open late on Saturdays until 20:45 from 20 October.
MEMBERS GO FREE
Members gain free access to the exhibition at any time without pre-booking. Become a member for special previews plus discounts in the shop and cafe.
Skateboard | Phaidon publication
The exhibition's accompanying publication is curated and written by Jonathan Olivares, designed by Apartamento Studios and published by Phaidon. Developed in collaboration with Converse, the book is an authoritative chronicle of the history of skateboard design from the 1950s to the present day. Pre-order today or buy at the Design Museum Shop from 2024.
Exhibition Partner
“Converse, which has been adopted by skateboarders for more than 75 years, leaned on its heritage and members of its global skate team to support the book and exhibit, from concept to final execution.
The initiative represents Converse’s ambition to provide a platform for experiences that exist at the cross-section of creativity and skateboarding: bridging audiences and interests, while providing useful inspiration.”
Phil Russo, VP of Design and Innovation
What's On
Background image: Makaha Kicktail by Larry Stevenson, Skateboarding Hall of Fame Museum in California. Photograph by Caleb J. Adams