Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art - Book Review

Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art is 228 pages of full color, featuring over 1000 skateboard graphics from over the last 30 years. But the book is far more than a gallery of photos - longtime skateboard artist Sean Cliver gives his insights into the history of the art, and also into the evolution of the industry. Disposable, A History of Skateboard Art is packed with long quotes from pro skaters, and opens a window into more than just the art, but the heart and history of skateboarding.

Sean Cliver, the author of Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art has had a crazy life. He has drawn graphics for Powell Peralta, World Industries, and Birdhouse. Through the story of his migration from company to company you get to see the people who started and ran these companies, their genius and their stupidity, all through Cliver's refreshingly frank and honest eyes.

Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art doesn't just cover Sean Cliver's art, however. Not at all. Cliver takes a look at piles of skateboard art and features not just pro riders but artists as well. Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art is filled with stories and quotes from skateboarders, skateboard artists and industry leaders - Tony Hawk, Steve Caballero, Mike Vallely, Lance Mountain, Rodeny Mullen, Bam Margera, Natas Kaupas, Tomy Guerrero, Marc MaKee, Jason Lee, Steve Rocco and many, many more. Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art even has extra sidebars that talk about the devil worship fiasco with Natas's board, the infamous Napping Negro board, and so much more info that there isn't room in this review for it.

And with all of that, I haven't even talked about the images yet! Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art is packed - and I mean packed with high quality color images. Cliver never cuts any corners in this book. He presents over a thousand skateboard graphics, all organized according to era, company, and pro skater, with accompanying stories from his own experience or from the skaters who's names endorsed the decks.

Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art does have an "Explicit Advisory" sticker in the front. And of course it has to, because of the nature of skateboard art. Since the beginning, skateboard art has been full of skulls and violence, and with the emergence of World Industries and Steve Rocco, all boundaries were pushed. Whatever your take is on offensive graphics, it's important to remember that pushing boundaries has always been a big part of skateboarding. The punk, alternative, fight-against-the-mainstream ideals have always been at the heart of skateboard culture. The graphic images aren't too many, but anyone planning on having this as a coffee table book in their conservative skate shop might want to know ahead of time.

The only other drawback to the book is that it's not two or three times bigger! At 228 pages is plenty long enough as it is, but I love it so much I just want more! The world of skateboard art is so expansive, Sean Cliver could make sequel after sequel if he wanted to. But whatever happens, Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art will still remain a cornerstone book in the chronicles of skateboarding's history.

No other book that I've seen captures the culture, the bizzarity, the struggling that industrial and professional skateboarding has seen over the last 30 years. Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art is the perfect book for anyone who loves skateboarding, has an interest in the history of skateboarding, or who just loves art. The 30 years that the book covers makes Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art perfect for old school skaters and young skaters alike. It's well written, well organized - seriously, it's perfect. I can't recommend it highly enough. If I could, I would give it 6 stars.

Disposable - A History of Skateboard Art is published by Concrete Wave Editions, distributed by Blitz Distribution and is available in skate shops and from Tailtap.com.