Haroshi is a skateboarder and visual artist from Tokyo, renowned worldwide for his handmade sculptures and installations created using discarded skateboards. Inspired by the traditions of his culture and his fondness for giving new life to items no longer suitable for their previous use, the uniqueness of his creations is a culmination of his upbringing in Japan and his lifelong passion for skateboarding. Through more than 20 years of evolving creative process and output, his work has received international acclaim, and attracted high-profile fans and collaborators such as Keith Hufnagel, Tony Hawk, Yuto Horigome, and Pharell.
Born in 1978, Haroshi first started skateboarding with his friends as a teenager in Tokyo. He was immediately attracted to the rebellious nature of skateboarding they were exposed to through early skate videos such as Plan B’s Questionable (1992), and later witnessing professionals like Rodney Mullen skateboarding in person while on tour in Japan. In interviews, he credits the graphics he would see on skateboards as some of the first works of art that he took notice of.
Outside of skateboarding, Haroshi’s grandfather was a major inspiration in his early artistic life. His first skateboard was one they created together over a summer break – handcrafted and painted with Haroshi’s own design. His grandfather made many of his own tools himself, and these tools were created specifically for the projects he worked on with his grandson. Haroshi credits witnessing this DIY approach to craft and creation as having influenced the mindset and sensibilities he carries with him as an artist today.
After finishing school, Haroshi found work making jewelry, but he quickly grew tired of mass-producing the same objects over and over again, and desired to create something unique. In an interview with Juxtapoz Magazine, Haroshi recalled his wife looking at a stack of old skate decks in the corner of the room and suggesting that he create something with them. He saw this as an opportunity to source materials for cheap, and began to collect used boards from his friends. With no formal training or background in art, he decided to teach himself the traditional woodworking techniques he needed to make his ideas become a reality.
The inherently temporary nature of hardware in skateboarding, and the unique look of each used board worn down from its skater’s particular skillset of tricks has provided Haroshi with an ever-replenishing stock of materials to choose from to bring his sculptures to life. Over years of constant learning and improvement, his art has risen in popularity and been embraced by the worlds of skateboarding and contemporary art. He has exhibited work at galleries in New York, Paris, Art Basel in Miami, and collaborated with a number of skate brands.
Within skateboarding, his signature look of colorful, layered and hand-carved wood has become revered, and has led to many full-circle moments for his years as a skate-obsessed youth. He designed skateboards for Rodney Mullen’s signature model with Almost, and collaborated with USA Skateboarding on decks commemorating the inaugural year of skateboarding at the Olympics hosted in his hometown of Tokyo. Haroshi has also created the trophies awarded at the Battle at the Berrics skate contest for many years and, at the request of Keith Hufnagel, designed the iconic centerpiece of the HUF Los Angeles store – the Haroshi x HUF Middle Finger.
Today, Haroshi continues to create art from his studio on the outskirts of Tokyo.
In Issue 10 of Living Proof Magazine, Haroshi speaks with Roger Gastman about his creative process, growing up in Japan, the impact of skateboarding on his life, and more.
This story was written by Eden DaSilva for the release of Issue 10 of Living Proof Magazine. Now available on our Patreon and Online Shop.
photos: Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, Nanzuka & Genevieve Hanson
