On Wednesday, 19 June 2024, “Atiba Jefferson: Skate Photography” opened in the bustling Marais district of Paris. This retrospective by Vans Brand Curator, iconic photographer and cultural change-maker, Atiba Jefferson, showcases 25 years of preeminent skateboarding photography. Presented by Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh™️ with support from OTW by Vans, the art exhibition honors the creative culture that thrives in skateboarding.
City tastemakers shifted their gaze from Paris Fashion Week and converged at the opening party to witness more than 200 of Jefferson’s most iconic work, spanning the mid-1990s to the present. Guests experienced never-before-seen cut sheets, slides, negatives, video content, and objects from Jefferson’s vast archive. Rarely exhibited archival video works, behind-the-scenes ephemera, and a focus on the global skate community were the highlights of the gallery.
Featuring music by Benji B, the night hummed with guests including Drieke Leenknegt, Global CMO of Vans, and Ian Ginoza, VP of Creative Direction for OTW by Vans, Ako Jefferson, Steve Van Doren, Mahfuz Sultan and Chloe Wayne Sultan of Architecture c/o Virgil Abloh™️, Dev Hynes, Aminé, Danielle Haim, Mami Tezuka, Piet Parra, Devin Garcia, Etienne Gagné, Anthony Van Engelen, Arthur Kar, Curren Caples, Cam Hicks, Delfin Finley, Don C, Micheal Dupouy, Chris Gibbs, Sam Richardson and Shane Gonzales.
Jefferson recognizes global top talents such as Tony Hawk, Rowan Zorilla, Beatrice Domond, Elissa Steamer, Kareem Campbell, John Cardiel, Eric Koston, Andrew Reynolds, Tyshawn Jones, and Anthony Van Engelen across his various mediums further showcasing the unique culture of skateboarding. The exhibition celebrates Virgil Abloh‘s legacy of creative experimentation and elevating Black voices, uniting the skate community to honor Atiba’s work.
OTW by Vans salutes skateboarding as the original cultural disruptor and is committed to supporting skate culture through innovators across art, design, fashion, and entertainment. The “Atiba Jefferson: Skate Photography” gallery enriches that disruptive spirit and showcases the global impact of skateboarding through his distinct lens.
The exhibit will be on view from 19 June — 28 June 2024.
All Photo’s below are By Nolan Zangas
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