Gerhard Human
South Africa
October 2021
How long have been drawing skateboard artwork and why?
I’ve been drawing since I was in school. I grew up with a skate crowd and most of my influences came from the same culture so it’s just something I’ve been incorporating into my work from time to time. The first serious body of work specifically skateboarding themed, was in 2012 when I did the “Skateboarding is a crime” exhibition (https://gerhardhuman.com/skateboarding-is-a-crime) Although I’ve been exploring other channels and themes, it’s something that will probably always be present in my work.
Where do you get the inspiration from?
From life. I think the best way to create good work is to be true to what you know. I get inspiration from music, film, comics and my friends. I don’t see the point in spending your own time creating something that you don’t feel connected to yourself.
What does skateboarding mean to you?
I don’t skate anymore and I don’t really see myself as a skater either. But I still have a connection with the culture and since that’s where I came from I recognise it as something that shaped me to be what I am today. I think skateboarding is a great way to express yourself. I think it’s creative and it requires persistence and grit. I’ve always been drawn to things that require you to lose some blood and skateboarding needs that.
If you can change one thingabout Skateboarding what would it be?
I would throw it back to the times where it was actually punk and not something the cool kids at school now does. In my day skaters were treated like vermin and we had constant fights with the jocks. Yea it was terrible, but it weeded out the ones that didn’t have the heart to push through. Only the most dedicated and persistent stuck around. I feel a little bit of that has been lost. But then again other things might have been gained so who knows.
